Health is not limited to having a healthy body, but also a healthy mind. The life we lead today is full of stress and anxiety. While the choice of food we eat might not eliminate the reason behind depression, it makes it easy to cope up with it. Researchers say that a healthy diet is very important to be happy and cure depression and most of us are unaware of what food items should be avoided.
Here are 10 foods that make you sad and should be done away with.
1. White bread
According to a research by James Gangwisch and colleagues in the department of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Centre (CUMC) , foods rich in refined carbohydrates cause mood changes and fatigue in postmenopausal women.
2. Rice
Scientists said that carbohydrates consumption normally increases blood sugar levels but eating refined carbohydrates like rice trigger a hormonal response that affects the glycemic index and a person consuming rice is more likely to feel sad.
3. Coffee
Coffee contains caffeine which disturbs the sleeping patterns and eventually alter mood. It may also cause agitation and nervousness.
4. Alcohol
Alcohol slows down the central nervous system which controls motor functioning, understanding and thinking. Slowing all this down makes it easy for depression to creep in.
5. Meat
Red meat and processed meat are high in saturated fat which can disturb your insulin levels. It has also been linked with cancer, diabetes, and other serious illnesses.
6. Ice-creams and Donuts
Food items with high sugar and trans-fat can spike your sugar levels. It may also cause a headache and fatigue. Dark chocolate, however, is a good alternative.
7. Artificial sweeteners
Aspartame blocks the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin which causes mood swings, headaches, and insomnia. So next time you go for a diet soda, know that it isn’t really okay to have it.
8. Chips and fries
The oils with omega-6 fatty acids that many potato chips are fried in, block the omega-3 fatty acids that are known to boost your mood and help your brain to function normally.
9. Products with refined sugar
Refined sugar spikes your sugar levels and causes a sugar-rise which is also known as sugar-rush. These kind of sugar-high contribute to depression.
10. Fat-Free salad dressings and sauces
Those sauces in your sandwich, salad or sub are not entirely healthy. They contain high amounts of sodium which can agitate your neurological system and also lead to bloating and water retention.