Have you ever thought about going to a doctor to get rid of depression? Perhaps you’ve had this idea before, but have you tried to doing away with the prescriptions and therapy sessions and instead consuming certain foods that may help?
There are many different factors that contribute to depression, some of which are beyond a person’s control, such as genetics or a traumatic life event, but food can also play a role. What we eat can increase or decrease certain chemical processes in our brains, such as serotonin production, which helps regulate mood.
This article will provide a list of foods that may help relieve depression.
Small, oily fish like salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and herring can help. These fish are all rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat that has been shown to reduce the severity of depression symptoms by reducing inflammation.
Certain compounds, such as flavanols and procyanidins, found in cocoa and in dark chocolate can reduce inflammation in the body as well.
Eating foods like fruits and vegetables can be one of the strongest ways to fight infection because of their antioxidants, which are compounds that help protect the body’s cells from damage caused by inflammation.
Other foods rich in antioxidants include nuts, berries, pomegranates, dark chocolate, coffee and green tea, and herbs like mint and oregano.
Many foods that are harmful to physical health can also affect a person’s mental health. Foods to avoid include processed foods, as processed or fried foods contain trans fats and a variety of chemicals that can promote inflammation.
Some examples of processed foods are sausages, prepackaged baked goods, ready-made noodles, white bread, and sugar.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
