Does Food Affect Mental Health? Check out These 5 Latino Dishes for the Brain

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Most people know that food intake greatly determines physical health. People, however, should also know that the type or kind of food being consumed by a person also positively or negatively affects one's mental health.

Food is highly associated to the physical and mental well-being of a person. In the previous year alone, more than 16 percent of all Latinos experienced some form of mental illness, Saludtoday shared.

Currently, depression is known to be the number one cause of disability around the world and approximately $193 billion is spent on treating mental illnesses. Many Latinos, however, do not seek professional medical help in treating these problems.

Knowing what to and what not to eat will greatly help in promoting a healthier mental condition. Here are some food items that can help balance chemicals in the brain and promote better mental health, according to a report from Top Counseling Schools:

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish, like salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, contain huge amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids help balance dopamine and serotonin, brain chemicals that are linked to depression.

Whole Grains

Whole grains, which are complex carbohydrates, help consumers feel full longer and give the brain a steady supply of fuel over a long period of time compared to other foods.

They are also a healthier alternative to simple carbohydrates that cause spikes in blood sugar levels.

Lean Proteins

Lean proteins, which can be found in fish, meat, chicken, turkey, eggs, and beans, help balance serotonin levels in the brain, in addition to promoting healthy cellular development, according to WHFoods.org.

Yogurt

The healthy bacteria found in yogurt have been found to help reduce anxiety and stress, in addition to strengthening the immune system and warding off bad bacteria present in the gut. All these, in a tasty way.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Leafy greens, such as spinach and broccoli, are rich in folic acid, which is greatly associated with depression, fatigue and insomnia in low levels. The selenium found in broccoli also helps maintain a healthy immune system.

Not only that, a study has found that middle-aged people who ate a cup of cooked greens on a daily basis were half less likely to die within four years compared to those who had no intake of greens, Health.com reported.

Red cabbage, although obviously not green, also helps in promoting good brain health, while helping fight against cancer.

What do you think of these food items? Share your opinions in the comments section below.