News / Health & healing

A good diet is essential for physical health, but does it make much difference to your mind? Are there things that you should, or should not do, in order to keep your mind healthy? A growing body of evidence suggests that the answer is yes.

You may be thinking that this is about so-called ‘superfoods’, a term used to describe certain foods with very high quantities of particular nutrients. From the early descriptions, you might almost have thought these foods had magical powers to improve mental and physical health. Most sources now, however, suggest that the term is simply a marketing tool. The European Union has even banned the use of the term 'superfood' in marketing except where the claim is backed by credible scientific evidence of a proven medical benefit.

However, the Mental Health Foundation notes that a good diet is important for mental health. It also suggests that diet can play a role in the development, management and prevention of several specific conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Alzheimer’s disease.

PHOTO: LIVELIFENUTRITION.NET

That is not to say that diet can control these conditions, nor that it should be looked upon as a panacea or cure-all, or that other treatments should be stopped in favour of a particular diet. However, diet may play a role, alongside other treatments, in the management of these conditions. The Mental Health Foundation also notes that fewer than half of those who report mental health problems consume fresh fruit every day, compared with more than two thirds of those who do not report mental health problems.

The issue here may be somewhat ‘chicken and egg’: does a poor diet contribute to the problem, or does the problem cause the lack of interest in eating healthily? Either way, there is little doubt that feelings of health and well-being are more likely if you consume a balanced diet, with the correct balance of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water for you.