2. Lean Protein Foods
There’s power in lean protein, research shows. Lean protein is well-known for conferring physical health benefits, including stronger muscles, better heart health, and improved odds of weight loss — but did you know it may help boost your mental health too?
Lean protein can play an important role in regulating mood, says Dr. Serani. Although more research is needed on the role protein plays in the management of depression, one research review noted that studies have found that peptides (short chains of amino acids that are part of larger protein molecules) in soy, rice, and dairy may have antidepressant effects.
Low-fat cheese and milk, eggs, chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef, low-fat Greek yogurt, and beans are all good sources of lean protein, Serani says.
These foods, except for beans, are also packed with vitamin B12. “B vitamins can help protect and maintain the nervous system, including the brain, and can be found to help with overall mental health,” says Scott Lyons, PhD, a psychologist and host of the podcast The Gently Used Human.
Vitamin B12 also plays a role in the production of brain chemicals that influence mood, and a deficiency in this important nutrient may be related to depression.
Read the full article here
