Five ways to improve your mental health through your diet

If you are struggling with your mental health, it could be worth looking at your diet.

It is well known that your diet can impact your mental health. Eating a wide range of healthy foods can help reduce mood swings and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

In turn, a poor diet can have a negative impact on your health, causing fatigue and low moods, among other symptoms.

Pharmacist Graham Phillips, the founder of ProLongevity, has provided his expert tips on eating for better mental health.

Stay hydrated

Drinking water can help support your mental health as it helps to keep your brain healthy.

The expert recommends, "Drink six to eight glasses of water a day - free, accessible and very effective!"

Manage caffeine intake

It is important to be aware of your caffeine intake because too much coffee can often lead to symptoms of anxiety.

"Whilst caffeine can give quick bursts of energy, it can also make you feel anxious, disturb your sleep and give you withdrawal symptoms like irritability or depression if you suddenly stop having it," Graham states.

Avoid processed foods

Processed foods can often make you feel fatigued due to the refined carbs and sugar.

"Foods high in refined carbs and sugar cause blood sugar to skyrocket, then plummet," Graham explains. "When this happens, you could feel tired, irritable or 'hangry'."

Eat probiotic foods for a healthy gut

Supporting your gut with probiotics can help improve your mood.

"Probiotic foods like live yoghurt, beans, pulses, vegetables and certain fruits can promote healthy gut bacteria," the expert says. "Your gut usually tells you how you're feeling emotionally."

Drink alcohol in moderation

It is well known that alcohol can have a negative impact on your mental health, so it is important that you drink in moderation.

"Excess amounts of alcohol can cause chemical changes in your brain that lead to negative feelings of anger, depression or anxiety, regardless of your mood," Graham warns. "Drinking close to bedtime can radically affect sleep quality too, leading to feelings of tiredness and brain fog."