It is common knowledge that a healthy diet can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other health conditions, but less is spoken about the benefits it can have on people’s mental health. Researchers across the world have found positive correlations between people with healthy diets being less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.

Beneficial foods

Research suggests that some of these foods can lead to a healthy mind.

• Salmon: Rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are essential for brain function
• Avocados: Contain monounsaturated fat, which contributes to healthy blood flow and that in turn means a healthy brain
• Dark Chocolate: Has powerful antioxidant properties and contains several natural stimulants, including caffeine, which enhance focus and concentration. These also stimulate the production of endorphins, which helps improve mood
• Blueberries: Known as a superfood, they can significantly improve brain function and learning capacity. They can also lessen the chance of getting Alzheimer’s and dementia

Academic Performance

Researchers have linked healthy eating to better memory, faster information processing and better academic performance making it a must for students. We all need our brain for everyday functions so it is particularly important that it is working at full throttle for students, especially those on challenging courses such as a politics or criminal justice masters program. Low GI foods – such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and wholegrain – have been associated with faster information processing.

It’s not just about what you eat, either. Studies have shown that skipping breakfast can have a negative impact on learning, so make sure your breakfast is of a high quality. Researchers also found that small, frequent snacks can help with attention spans and alertness. Eggs are a great snack choice because they contain choline, a nutrient shown to improve memory.

Additional Help

Although a healthy diet has numerous benefits it’s a good idea to improve your overall lifestyle as well. Physical activity can reduce the risk of brain decline and notably reduce stress. It causes your body to produce feel-good endorphins and helps you burn off the energy generated by stress. Whether it’s a high-intensity work out at the gym or a brisk 30 minute walk round the park, as long as it gets your blood pumping and accelerates your breathing then it’ll be benefitting you. If you’re currently studying a masters in criminal justice online for instance, try to fit some sort of physical exercise into your day as a break from looking at the computer screen non-stop.

Sleep deprivation can cause numerous symptoms related to poor health such as irritability, anxiousness and an inability to concentrate for long periods of time. It’s important to make sure you are getting the right amount of sleep each night, but just as important as the amount is the quality. If you’re up till midnight finishing off an online masters in criminal justice assignment then the chances are that even if you get into bed straight away you won’t go to sleep for a few hours. It’s important to create a cut off time for studying and also for gadgets and electronics, so that you can spend those few hours before bed fully relaxing.

It’s important not to look at healthy eating as a chore and instead see good nutrition as a proven way to help you reach your full potential.