On this week’s episode of Sisters Without Shame, a friend in crisis wonders why she feels down in the dumps after eating certain foods. We all have those days where we feel so miserable that we cannot even get out of bed to face the world. Western Cape dietitian Jo-Anne Roets unpacks the links between food and our mental health.
Without a steady source of fuel from the foods we eat, our mind and bodies don’t function well, says Roets. “This means your brain requires a constant supply of fuel. That fuel comes from the food you eat, and what is in the fuel makes all the difference.”
Where food and mood connect
Roets says that inflammation is the No 1 cause of major health conditions.
“I always like to say, gut inflammation is brain inflammation. There is such a strong and important connection between the gut and the brain.”
She says that when our food has been digested two things happen. “It can be either toxic for us and lead to more inflammation throughout the body and brain, which can contribute to mood disorders including anxiety and depression.”
“Or, It [food] can be positive for us. It can improve our gut bacteria and our gut microbe and that will contribute to more production in the gut of our happy hormone serotonin.”
Know your happy hormones
There are four happy hormones known as serotonin, endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin.
“Eating the right foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, nourishes the brain and protects from oxidative stress and toxins.”
The two big troublemakers for gut inflammation includes sugars and processed foods. “Eating plenty of processed foods can also contribute to a larger waistline, feeling sluggish and potentially lead to insulin balances.”
On this episode, Roets also unpacks:
- Foods that are known to boost happy hormones.
- The best foods for brain health.
- How to eat your supplements instead of buying them over-the-counter.
Listen to the full interview on Sisters Without Shame
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