Craving? Think twice about reaching your favorite soda, as it could be the root of your mental health issues. After all, we are what we eat.

Anxiety is among the most common mental health conditions globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it could be one of the top health concerns in the world by 2030.

Therefore, it is not surprising that researchers continue to seek new ways to reduce the far-reaching impacts of mental health conditions -beyond therapies or even medication.

Evidence from novel studies connecting diet and mental health has emerged, showing that they are closely related, more than we realize.

We do know that a healthy diet affects your brain at:

• Promoting brain development.
• Increase connection between brain cells.
• Reduce inflammation by promoting a healthy gut biome. Inflammation affects your cognition and mood.
• Boosting serotonin, which lifts your mood.

Healthy foods for healthy thoughts.

The gut is our second brain. Eating healthy food must be on top of your priorities. Your gut tract carries billions of bacteria that influence the production of neurotransmitters, chemical substances that deliver messages from the gut to the brain.

Common examples of neurotransmitters are dopamine and serotonin. Why they are important?

If your neurotransmitter generation is optimal, your brain receives the positive messages, reflecting on better emotional shape. But when production is not going well, so might the way you would feel.

So what foods will help you have a healthier diet?

As the majority of experts recommend, your diet should be varied and full of whole foods. Particularly a Mediterranean-style diet can help to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Next time you are on the grocery shop or delivery app, try to find food high in:

• Fiber: Fruits, vegetables, and healthy carbs like oats
• Antioxidants: Berries, dark leaves, dark chocolate, and black chia
• Vitamin D: Seafood, egg-yolks, if you follow a plant-based diet, consider mushrooms, as they are the only good plant source of vitamin D
• Probiotics: Fermented foods are full of probiotics, including kimchi, and the fermented drink kombucha

Diet is just one piece of the matrix.

Even while results look promising, we need to keep in mind that diet is just one piece of the whole.

It is recommended for anyone experiencing any concerns about their mental wellness, to being to work with a trusted healthcare provider to develop a personalized treatment plan.