Researchers from the State University of New York at Binghamton have found that the effect of food on a person’s mental state depends on their age. During the study, the scientists divided the subjects into two groups: 18 to 29 years old and over 30 years old, and found significant differences in how diet affects their mood.
Impact on young people (18-29 years old)
For this age group, meat consumption turned out to be a key factor. According to assistant Lina Begdache, regular meat consumption contributes to the accumulation of substances that improve emotional state — serotonin and dopamine. Participants who ate meat less than three times a week were more likely to experience mental disorders.
To increase dopamine and serotonin levels, and therefore improve mood, young people are also recommended to include in their diet:
- Unpasteurized dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt).
- Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck).
- Fatty fish rich in Omega-3 (salmon, sardines, mackerel).
- Dark chocolate, eggs, bananas, almonds, peanuts, pineapples, pumpkin and sesame seeds.
Effect on people over 30
For adults over 30, foods rich in antioxidants have a positive effect on the psyche. The general rule for them is: the brighter the product, the healthier it is. We are talking about a variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables, such as leeks, garlic, eggplants, grapes and berries. These people, on the other hand, should avoid foods that can trigger stress, such as coffee and too many carbohydrates. Tea and even red wine are also beneficial, according to the study.
