Study suggests pressure of nutrition, diet on women’s mental health – 5 mood-boosting dietary tips for women – Times Now

New Delhi: It has been made known by science loud and clear that nutrition plays a major role in the overall health of the human body. Studies have supported this claim and with advancements being made in the field, further data regarding the importance and effects of nutrition is emerging. According to a study published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine called “Customization of Diet May Promote Exercise and Improve Mental Wellbeing in Mature Adults: The Role of Exercise as a Mediator”, the effect of nutrition on the mental health of women is higher than that compared to men’s.

Nutrition and women’s mental health

The study was conducted at Binghamton University and was aimed at identifying the effect of a customized diet on mood among women and men aged 30 years or above. The study can help mental health professionals get a better insight into mental health management for women,

Lina Begdache, assistant professor of health and wellness studies at Binghamton University and author of the study said, “We found a general relationship between eating healthy, following healthy dietary practices, exercise and mental well-being. Interestingly, we found that for unhealthy dietary patterns, the level of mental distress was higher in women than in men, which confirmed that women are more susceptible to unhealthy eating than men.”

“Fast food, skipping breakfast, caffeine and high-glycemic (HG) food are all associated with mental distress in mature women. Fruits and dark green leafy vegetables (DGLV) are associated with mental well-being. The extra information we learned from this study is that exercise significantly reduced the negative association of HG food and fast food with mental distress,” Begadache added.

Mood-boosting lifestyle tips for women 

Some mood-boosting tips for women are as follows:

1. Carry out exercise sessions for at least 30 minutes every day to boost mental and physical health.
2. Consume a healthy diet with balanced nutrients and an adequate amount of water every day.
3. Practice stress-relieving techniques such as yoga, meditation, listening to music, and aromatherapy. 
4. Get a good amount of sleep and try reducing your screen time to stay well-rested. 
5. Laughing can help boost the mood because it can cause dopamine release in the body.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.