People all over the world are unhappier than ever. Whatever be the causes behind the declining status of physical and mental health, the one aspect that’s alarming is that, the mental health specialists are prescribing anti-depressants and sedatives for treating unhappiness.
One of the most untouched aspects of mental health is the role of nutrition in maintaining the mental equilibrium. We are what we feed our body. Mind too, is very much an entity of our body and cannot be separated. Evidence indicates that certain foods play a huge role in the development of mental health just like a lot of others that are better avoided if one desires a sound mind. Ayurveda considers that for a healthy mind, food that is rich in prana, is light to digest and that which is not canned and artificially processed is “Sattvik” and thus, benefits the body and mind.
Here are 5 foods that should be avoided for better mental health:-
Red Meat
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It would be good to study if the meat comes from grass-fed animals or from animals that have been raised in unhealthy/drugged conditions. Meat in any form has been considered to be “Tamasic” by Ayurveda. Tamasic foods tend to coat the “Buddhi”-intelligence. They bring about heaviness and sleepiness, all of which are bad for one’s mental health.
Stale food
Leftovers or food that has been stored for a long time tends to lose its essence and prana. It disturbs the balance of the body humors and the functioning of the mind. Leftover food is heavy to digest leaving the stomach and mind upset. It also makes you feel sluggish and dull.
French Fries and other foods full of saturated fat
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As delicious as they may taste, French fries are loaded with saturated fat. This makes them extremely heavy to digest besides having other bad effects on the circulatory system. Having them for a long time can reduce the cognitive functioning and memory.
Processed High Sugar Foods
Cakes, Doughnuts, Bagel, Pancakes increase the level of tryptophan and leave one feeling sleepy. They slow down the process of digestion like other processed foods. Once digestion is affected, the entire body as well as mental functioning is disrupted.
Alcohol
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Brandy can have a good effect on heart if consumed in low doses. Any type of alcohol in excess, however, leads to bad heart and mental health by causing derangement, loss of clarity, auditory and visual hallucinations, paranoia and memory loss.
Purity of diet purifies the heart: A purified heart stabilises the mind which aids meditation and after mastering meditation, the baser instincts are instantly eradicated – Chhândogya Upanisha
DISCLAIMER: While we have taken steps to check the accuracy of information & practices shared here; it is not a replacement for a doctor’s opinion. it is important to first always check with your own doctor before trying any medication, practice or suggestion from this site.
