We now know so much more about how our environment, diet and lifestyle affects our health and mental well being, small changes in our daily lives can have a dramatic effect. Nutrition, for example, is an area that research is constantly proving can affect mental health. For example sugar. Sugar is in everything and not just the obvious cakes and biscuits but in all the savoury items too such as premade meals, sauces, cereals, bread, crackers, yoghurts. It is extremely difficult to find anything other than meat and vegetables that is not full of sugar. Other than it being highly processed, addictive (more addictive than cocaine) and the biggest cause of obesity it also has a negative affect on mental health. A report featured in the Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Review 2019 found that a diet high in sugar led to:
- Stress
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Addition
- Cognitive impairments
- Negative neuroplasticity
- Emotional disorders (such as depression and anxiety)
- Increases impulsivity to eat more
- Changes in neurobiological brain function leading to altered emotional state and behaviour
Poor diet has been scientifically linked to depression, anxiety and neuropsychiatric conditions. Having a diet low in processed sugar will improve your mood, brain function and energy levels.
