The connections between food and mood are evident. It has long been known that proper nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining good physical health. However, many don’t know just how much it can affect our emotional well-being and overall mental health. Sam Cover of Spokane Washington recently discussed the impact food can have on mood.

“The brain is strongly linked to the gastrointestinal tract, which is home to billions of bacteria that have an effect on the production of varying chemical substances and neurotransmitters,” Sam Cover Spokane Washington said. “These neurotransmitters and chemical substances carry messages from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain.”

Sam Cover Spokane Washington explained that nutritious foods tend to promote the gut’s beneficial bacteria growth. This has a positive effect on the production of neurotransmitters. However, Sam Cover Washington added that a diet loaded with unhealthy, processed foods can cause inflammation that negatively affects neurotransmitter production. Keeping production functioning means your brain receives clear positive messages, which are reflected in the emotions.

“Sugar is one of the biggest causes of inflammation, and it feeds the bad bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract,” Sam Cover of Spokane said. “It can cause a temporary spike in mood, known as a sugar rush, and a major crash later follows that. This is not good for overall mental health and mood.”

Sam Cover Spokane Valley explained that maintaining a diet of nutritious foods means you’ll experience fewer fluctuations in mood. This results in improved focus and an overall more satisfying outlook on life. Studies have also shown that being healthy can help fend off the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Sam Cover Spokane Washington added that, on the contrary, unhealthy diets are linked to an increased risk of stroke and dementia.

“With such excellent advertising nowadays, it can be difficult to know which foods are best,” Sam Cover said. “Always opt for whole foods, as well as foods rich in antioxidants, folate, fiber, magnesium, and Vitamin D.”

Sam Cover of eastern Washington added that fermented foods could be especially beneficial for the digestive tract. Ferment foods and drinks, like kombucha, sauerkraut, miso, and kimchi, are loaded with probiotics, live bacteria that are especially good for the GI tract.

“Simply paying attention to what you put in your body can have a major positive effect on your overall mood,” Sam Cover Spokane Washington said. “Mental health should be just as much of a priority as physical health, and they are both greatly affected by what we eat.”