The 12 Best Foods That Help Fight Depression

You may not believe that what you eat has anything to do with your mental health, yet nutrition can have a significant impact on how you feel.

Depression is a widespread mental condition that affects around 300 million individuals worldwide. If you're feeling depressed, try including some of these foods in your diet to help alleviate your symptoms:

Although food cannot cure depression, research has shown that certain meals can be a natural remedy for the blues. Here are the 12 Best Foods for Fighting Depression

Best Foods for Fighting Depression

Mushrooms

Mushrooms can help you overcome depression and anxiety for two reasons. They are high in potassium, which might help alleviate anxiety.

Second, mushrooms contain ergothioneine, an antioxidant. This antioxidant reduces oxidative stress on all cells, including brain cells. Reduced oxidative stress on brain cells may help lessen anxiety and depression symptoms.

Many nations' cuisines contain mushroom recipes. As a result, it is simple to find mushroom recipes in cookbooks and online. Do you enjoy eating garlic? If so, sautéing mushrooms in olive oil with fresh garlic is an easy, vegan-friendly, and tasty method to prepare them.

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Walnuts

The hormone serotonin helps to stabilize mood. An amino acid called tryptophan is vital for the production of serotonin. Because your body cannot produce tryptophan, you must obtain it from your food.

Walnuts are a good source of tryptophan. Walnuts also contain other omega-3 fatty acids that aid in the treatment of depression and anxiety.

Avocado

If you don't like walnuts, avocados are another good source of tryptophan, which is needed for serotonin synthesis. Avocados also offer numerous other health benefits. Consume at least half an avocado per day.

If you find the fruit bland, combine it into a salad. Alternatively, mix it into guacamole and serve with salsa.

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Blueberries

Consuming a handful of blueberries every day can assist in regulating your emotions and maintaining your mood.

Blueberries contain an antioxidant flavonoid known as anthocyanin. This flavonoid reduces inflammation and makes you less prone to depression.

Blueberries are delicious on their own, in fruit salads, yogurt, cereal, and as a pie filler. Blueberries can also be blended into a juice or smoothie.

Leafy Greens

If fighting depression is your goal, veggies like kale, chard, collard greens, rapini, and arugula leaves are excellent choices. They alleviate anxiety, promote healthy brain function, and shield the brain from cognitive degeneration.

To protect your mental health, use dark leafy greens in your stir-fries, soups, and salads.

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Onions

For mental wellness, your brain needs sufficient levels of serotonin. Some compounds prevent serotonin production. These compounds are blocked by onions, allowing your body to produce more serotonin.

Onions taste fantastic when eaten raw in salads or sandwiches. They are delicious when cooked in stews, stir-fries, soups, and other hot meals.

The flavor of onions, though, can be overwhelming for some people. If this describes you, you might want to explore taking supplements that contain onions. That way, you can reap the benefits of onions without having to put up with their unpleasant flavor.

Seeds

Seeds like chia and flaxseed can help you overcome depression and poor mental health. These seeds are high in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber.

Adding plenty of fiber to your diet helps to minimize inflammation in the gut. This reduced inflammation makes it easier for your body to absorb more nutrients used to produce neurotransmitters like serotonin.

There are lots of nutritious seeds in muesli, breakfast cereal, and some bread varieties. Seed, nut, and dried fruit trail mixes are also available for purchase.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain a carotenoid called lycopene, which can help you fight depression. Lycopene is an antioxidant. It can help protect brain neurons from stress-induced damage. Consume tomatoes at least twice a week to alleviate depression symptoms.

Tomatoes are an excellent complement to salads and sandwiches. Cooked tomatoes, on the other hand, have more nutritious value. To get the most nutrition out of your tomatoes, cook them in a pasta sauce.

Related: 35 Healthy Snacks You Can Eat to Lose Weight.

Oily Fish

Salmon and mackerel are two oily fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The body converts omega-3 fatty acids into lipid mediators. It is said that your mood may improve if your bloodstream contains more lipid mediators.

Oily fish shouldn't be eaten more than twice a week since it contains mercury, a dangerous metal that is bad for the health of the brain.

There are many ways to include oily fish in your diet. For instance, you may prepare sushi, smoked salmon sandwiches, or a delicious mayonnaise-and-mackerel paste to put on bread.

Beans

Beans are abundant in tryptophan, an amino acid essential for the creation of serotonin. Beans are also high in magnesium, which helps to improve mood and overall mental wellness.

Beans go well with toast, may be made into soup, are delicious in salads, and can also be used to make dips. There are numerous bean-based recipes from around the world available online. The cuisine of many South American countries uses beans as a major ingredient. You'll certainly find a meal that you enjoy.

Probiotic Dairy Products

According to a recent scientific study, taking probiotic yogurt may assist with depression. Include probiotic dairy products, such as beverages and live yogurt, in your diet to avoid feeling down.

These probiotic dairy products include microorganisms that increase neurotransmitter production, which influences your mood, appetite, and circadian rhythm.

Begin your day with a probiotic dairy drink to see how it impacts your mental health.

Poultry

Chicken and turkey are high in tryptophan, which your body uses to make the neurotransmitter serotonin. Eat some poultry every day to keep your brain healthy and your mental health strong.

Chicken and turkey are both flexible. They can be used to make a wide variety of dishes. Here are a few quick and simple ways to prepare them: roast chicken, mix them into a curry, make spaghetti sauce, or use them in a sandwich.

Conclusion

Most of the foods described in this article are suitable for daily consumption. Oily seafood is the one exception. Because oily fish contains mercury, you should eat it no more than twice a week. Eat all of the other foods on a daily basis, if possible, to avoid depression and anxiety.

By changing your diet to include more antidepressant foods, you help to guarantee a happy life in the future. Why not start looking for ideas online and in cookbooks to eat them more frequently?

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