There has recently been a lot focused on the gut/brain connection, and how it affects overall health. What’s also been made aware, is how the everyday common foods that are consumed, could be responsible for moodiness and irritability.
What many don’t bother to realize, is how our diets can potentially trigger the feelings of depression.
Some of these common foods, can also have additional impact on health, other than mental stability. So what’s compiled are a list of common foods, known to negatively impact well-being.
It begins with mindfully cutting out or down on these specific foods, which is a step towards becoming happier.
6. Simple Carbohydrates
To get in a better mood, what experts claim is to avoid foods that are white, other than cauliflower. “White” foods are known to intensify symptoms of anxiety.
The reason to avoid them, is because they contain simple carbohydrates. The list includes white bread, white rice, white flour, and pasta.
What consuming simple carbohydrates does is triggers the body to release excess insulin, which regulates blood sugar, known as “insulin dumping.”
The feeling you get, as a result of the lower blood sugar because of the increased insulin, is it causes anxiety and moodiness.
5. Sodium
What’s commonly known is to avoid poor quality fatty foods, this to manage health issues such as weight gain. What fat-free foods usually contain however, are high amounts in sodium (salt) for taste.
What excess, usually hidden amounts of sodium in these products can do, is disrupt ones neurological system, which can contribute to depression.
There are also some however, who claims salt is a mood enhancer, at times even referred to as nature’s antidepressant.
This is the reason why many will crave salt when they’re feeling depressed, as it makes them feel better.
Research has shown having a lack of energy or interest in doing things that you normally like to do, is because you may be sodium deficient.
For this reason, it’s known some may even become addicted to salt, which has similar symptoms to drug abuse.
4. Hydrogenated Oils
The oils commonly used in fast-food at the shopping mall, especially those that are fried, are known to have absolutely no nutritional value, to improve health.
What they’re also linked to is moodiness, as what they contain is hydrogenated oil, which is often a source of trans fat.
Anything cooked with hydrogenated oil which contains trans fat, can potentially contribute to depression.
Not all types of oil are bad however. Consuming 20 or more grams of pure extra virgin olive oil on a daily basis, is capable of cutting the risk of depression, by up to 30% percent.
3. Refined Sugar
Refined sugar is the type of sugar, that’s commonly found in a variety of processed food products on the store shelves.
This includes anything from candy and chocolate bars to cakes and cookies, to concentrated fruit juices.
Anything that’s sugary, does is tastes great when first consumed, which provides the much needed rush of energy, which lasts around 20 minutes.
What consuming empty sugar also does, is dramatically drops blood sugar levels during that time.
This results in a sugar hangover, which ultimately lowers the already compromised low mood, making one feel tired and sluggish, while disrupting proper sleep.
What doesn’t help is replacing the sugar with artificial substitutes. These sweeteners usually contain aspartame, which lowers the levels of serotonin in the brain, which is a natural feel good hormone.
2. Caffeine
It’s no secret the most consumed beverage and addiction in the world is coffee and cola, which are both loaded with caffeine.
What’s been confirmed, is that even just modest amounts of caffeine can do is contribute towards irritability.
One reason being, it disrupts quality of sleep, which is vital for proper mood regulation.
There are some however, who claims the extract of caffeine, can actually reduce moodiness and irritability.
What testing has shown, is increased caffeine intake actually places one in a better mood.
The reason being because of its natural antioxidant properties, which battles inflammation while lessening the symptoms of depression.
1. Alcohol
What most will do is turn to drinking a glass of wine or two, as a way to self-medicate, to smooth out the rough edges, to feel better. The irony of course is that alcohol is a depressant.
What this results in, is you may feel giddy for a short period of time, but what you’re not doing, is any favors for your long-term mental health.
What’s known, is a third of the population who suffers from depression, also has a problem with alcohol, although it’ s not usually chronic.
For many who are irritable and suffer from depression, feeling that way usually precedes excess drinking.
What alcohol can’t do, is mask ones feelings of sadness or hopelessness, while also making them feel worse in the long run.
Another hazard, is mixing alcohol with antidepressants, which makes the medication less effective.