No wonder they say: “A man is what he eats.” Nutrition really has a significant impact on our life, including on the state of the psyche. The foods we eat can improve or worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety. In this article, we will present a list of the most harmful foods for depressive disorders.

How Does Food Affect The Psyche?

The human body has an incredibly complex system with many subtle settings. So it is not surprising that such an important factor as nutrition cannot but influence these settings. And mental well-being also depends to a certain extent on what and how we eat. However, this influence can be different.

For example, folate levels can affect mood. And a lack of folic acid (and other important nutrients) leads, among other things, to depression, increased anxiety, and anxiety. According to some researchers, vitamin deficiency is one of the factors underlying somatogenic depression.

Another example is unbalanced nutrition and its consequences in the form of anaemia, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, etc. But, on the other hand, feeling unwell has never caused an attack of joy and happiness in anyone, has it?

Foods That Harm Mental Health

Some foods have a particularly negative effect on the state of mind.

1. Coffee And Caffeinated Drinks

Our list starts with coffee, like any coffee lover’s morning. There are good reasons for this: a morning cup of coffee can cheer you up for a while and improve your mood. But only on the condition that not too many of the following cups will be drunk later.

Excessive caffeine leads to increased nervousness, irritability, increased blood pressure, and headaches. Forced withdrawal from the usual dose of caffeine generally unbalances the coffee lover. The daily dose of coffee should be limited to 2-3 cups, and they should be drunk in the morning.

Otherwise, sleep may be disturbed, which also does not contribute to a good mood and only aggravates the symptoms of depression. Thus, it is better to abandon caffeinated drinks from your diet for better health.

2. Alcohol

Depression and alcohol use are closely related. It cannot be denied, though, that a serving of alcohol does indeed have a calming effect that can help cope with stress. The trouble is that alcohol has two stages. After the first, when relaxation occurs, lightness and even joy appear, but then the second stage quickly sets in.

It is the phase of oppression, which lasts much longer than the first stage. That is why alcohol is absolutely contraindicated for depression. Still, many people binge drink alcohol regularly. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 21% of people in Georgia abuse alcohol. Thus, most people there also suffer from a mental health problem, e.g., depression.

So there is no doubt that alcohol abuse and depression go hand in hand. However, you can fight this problem by getting addiction treatment. Besides, there are several recovery alternatives you can choose from; for example, detox in Georgia can help you begin your journey towards sobriety.

3. Flour Products Made From White Flour

An airy bun, a deliciously fresh croissant, and a donut or two can really improve your mood. But the constant abuse of such baked goods will inevitably lead to intestinal problems that will definitely not cause a burst of cheerfulness.

In addition, an excess of starchy foods leads to excess weight and even obesity, which also has not brought joy to anyone yet. If you can’t refuse baked products, you should at least switch to products made from whole grain flour. They are healthier for the intestines, although less tasty.

4. Confectionery And Sugar

Sweets provide short-term satisfaction, which is quickly replaced by a worsening of the condition. Moreover, excessive consumption of sweets can lead to serious metabolic disorders, up to diabetes. And this disease in itself is the cause of poor health and a factor that provokes the development of depression.

Excess sugar leads to mood swings and is generally harmful. Some sugar substitutes, although they do not contain glucose, are also taboo foods for depression and anxiety. These are aspartame and saccharin, which are often found in various finished products as sweeteners. Pay attention to the composition indicated on the label or packaging.

5. Trans Fats And Fast Food

Chips, French fries are a mixture of harmful trans fats, carbohydrates, and salt, and they also contain harmful substances that can block endorphins. And this guarantees a decline in mood. Research in Spain has confirmed this. Besides, foods rich in trans fats are harmful to the person’s overall health, which can aggravate the symptoms of depression.

6. Sweet Sodas And Juices

All kinds of sugary sodas are considered a contributor to depression due to their high sugar content. It is enough to use them every day for just one month to disrupt metabolic processes in the body. Fruit juices, not even industrial juices, but freshly prepared ones, are also a source of a large number of carbohydrates.

Essentially, the juice is a concentrated solution of sugar in water. It is much healthier to eat whole fruit because the fiber it contains will slow down glucose absorption. Thus, it will save the body from surges in blood sugar levels and, accordingly, from the subsequent sharp drop.

7. Processed Pumpkin Seeds And Salted Peanuts

By themselves, pumpkin seeds are a completely healthy and safe product. But industrial seed treatment involves the use of potassium bromate, which interferes with the thyroid gland from absorbing iodine. And the mood and the general condition of the body depend on the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.

Salted nuts from the store also become harmful during processing, when many additives of dubious value are added to them. The reasons why processed peanuts acquire the ability to affect mood negatively are not fully understood, and the research is ongoing. But until it’s completed, it’s best not to overuse this product.

Take Away

You must quit the above-mentioned list of foods if you want to ensure good mental health. We are hopeful that this article helped you know which foods you must avoid for better health. Live healthily!