From Plate to Peace: Nutrition for Mental Wellness

2.5-5 hours of moderate or 1.25-2.5 hours of vigorous activity per week is recommended. Regular physical activity boosts your mood and improves concentration, alertness and overall health.

Apart from regular exercise though, nutrition plays a crucial role. A key hormone and its release almost single-handedly impact a person's mental health. This hormone is called Serotonin. Serotonin is secreted in the gastrointestinal tract. So, like they say..."good mental health starts with good food", is not far from the truth.

The production of serotonin is in turn highly dependent on the health of the gut and the amount of good bacteria in the intestinal microbiome. Studies have reported that eating traditional diets like - the Japanese diet, Mediterranean diet, and dishes from the Indian palette greatly benefits the health of our gut compared to "Western diets" essentially promoting clean diets.

Eating clean is also not enough if you aim for great mental health and you want your diet to promote your mental health. You need to consume food items that help your gut health and help your body produce Serotonin.

Below are some products from a brand called "Purple Hippie". Three of their products contain some amazing ingredients that could help your body produce the optimal amount of Serotonin.

1. Purple Hippie Coffee and Walnut Granola
   Walnuts have antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and Vitamin E which help release serotonin, meanwhile, Vanilla extract has a strong aroma that releases endorphins, resulting in soothing relief and calmness.
   
   
2. Purple Hippie Mocha Maya Energy Bar
   Organic honey's anxiolytic properties reduce anxiety and stress. Its glucose content positively impacts mental health. Almond butter is made from almonds and is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, which helps increase the production of Serotonin.
   
   
3. Purple Hippie Spicy Trail Mix
   B vitamins in raisins, like vitamin B6, support nerve cell activity and neurotransmitter production, potentially reducing depression risk. Pumpkin seeds contain tryptophan and tyrosine, two amino acids that are precursors of serotonin and dopamine secretion.

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