5 Summer Fruits and Vegetables for good Mental Health
We all know that fruit and vegetables are the optimal sources of vitamins and minerals essential for our bodies health, but did you know that some of our favourite produce-picks have been linked to mental health improvement?
With the warmer months finally upon us and the increase of sun aiding our bodies production of the feel-good hormone serotonin, we wondered which of the summer seasonal fruits and vegetables we could pinpoint and add to our diets to optimize the upcoming good-times.
Lettuce
Low levels of folate have been linked to low moods and even depression. Luckily lettuce is an excellent source of this vital B vitamin, and along with other leafy greens, have been linked to slowing mental decline.
Watermelon
Delicious, sweet and refreshing - watermelon is a typical summer favourite. It also contains high levels of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects brain tissue and wards off neuronal damage associated with depression and anxiety.
Check out some of our watermelon based drink ideas!
Blackberries
Not only are blackberries yummy, but the purple pigment in fruits like blackberries also hold anthocyanins, an antioxidant responsible for assisting your brain in making dopamine. Dopamine is essential for learning, motivation, mood and sleep, to name a few.
Avocado
The good old avo is packed with vitamin B6, which plays a role in improving mood and reducing depression. Not to mention how good you will feel with a bowl full of guac and some corn chips!
Chillies
Capsaicin, a chemical compound found in chilli peppers and has been found to enhance our moods. Our bodies produce endorphins to block the discomfort of the heat when eating spicy food - and endorphins mean happy vibes!
The benefits of eating seasonally go far beyond our health and wellbeing. Choosing only to eat the fruit and veg that mother nature has intended for us means you support local growers and reduce the number of preservatives and food-miles used to transport out-of-season produce worldwide, directly impacting the health of our planet.
As always, our philosophy is simple, be kind to mother earth, to others, and to yourself . So eat up and enjoy!