And it’s not just about the instant emotional reaction to the food we eat, in the long term, our diet determines our mental health. In fact, we have two brains, one in the head and one in the gut, and when we are in the womb, both are formed from the same tissues. And these two systems are connected by the vagus nerve (the tenth pair of cranial nerves), which runs from the medulla oblongata to the middle of the gastrointestinal tract. Scientists have discovered that it is through the vagus nerve that bacteria from the intestines can send signals to the brain. So our mental state directly depends on the work of the intestines. Unfortunately, the “Western diet” only worsens our mood. Here are some proofs of this sad statement: Genetically modified foods significantly change the composition of the intestinal flora, stimulating the growth of pathogenic bacteria and inhibiting the growth of beneficial bacteria necessary for our mental and physical health. Glyphosate is the most common weed control used in food crops (more than 1 billion pounds of this herbicide is used annually worldwide). Once in the body, it causes nutritional deficiencies (especially minerals needed for normal brain function) and leads to the formation of toxins. A recent study showed that glyphosate is so toxic that the concentration of carcinogens contained in it exceeds all conceivable thresholds. High-fructose foods also feed pathogenic microbes in the gut, allowing them to prevent beneficial bacteria from multiplying. In addition, sugar suppresses the activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that plays a key role in brain function. In depression and schizophrenia, BDNF levels are critically low. Excessive sugar consumption triggers a cascade of chemical reactions in the body that lead to chronic inflammation, also known as latent inflammation. Over time, inflammation affects the entire body, including disrupting the normal functioning of the immune system and brain function.
– artificial food additives, especially the sugar substitute aspartame (E-951), negatively affect the brain. Depression and panic attacks are side effects of aspartame consumption. Other additives, such as food coloring, negatively affect mood.
So gut health is directly related to good mood. In the next article I will talk about what foods cheer you up. Source: articles.mercola.com Translation: Lakshmi