A saying goes, “you are what you eat.” And while that may sound like a simplification, there’s a lot of truth to it. What you put into your body can profoundly affect your physical and mental health. As obesity rates increase in the country due to the pandemic, you need to be more aware of what you eat.
Here are five ways that your diet can affect your health:
It Can Make You Obese
This is obvious, but it’s worth reminding people that you will gain weight if you overeat. And being obese is linked with various health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Here are some things you should avoid if you don’t want to be obese:
-
Sugar:
Sugar is hidden in many foods, including pasta sauce, bread, and cereal. It’s also in many “healthy” foods like fruit juices and sports drinks. However, too much sugar can lead to weight gain and cavities.
-
Portion sizes:
Americans tend to eat more than they should. Servings have increased over the years, so it’s important to know how much you eat.
-
Eating out:
When you eat out, you have no control over what goes into your food. And even if you think you’re making healthy choices, restaurant meals are often high in calories, fat, and sodium.
It Can Affect Your Oral Health
Your diet can also affect your oral health. For example, eating sugary foods and drinks can cause cavities. And if you don’t brush your teeth regularly, the sugars will turn into plaque, a sticky film that coats your teeth.
Plaque can then harden, making it harder to remove. Eating sugary food can also lead to cavities and tooth loss.
Tooth loss is problematic, especially if you eat unhealthy food because it can lead to dental infection. If you want to avoid this from happening, you should get dental implants. These implants can ensure that any tooth you’ve lost from an unhealthy diet is replaced. In addition, it can keep your mouth healthy. However, the best way to stop tooth loss is to prevent it from happening in the first place. So avoid sugary foods and drinks, and brush your teeth regularly.
It Can Affect Your Mood
What you eat can also affect your mood. For example, studies have shown that people who eat many processed foods and refined sugars are more likely to be depressed. On the other hand, people who eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are less likely to be depressed. There are various reasons why this happens.
The first reason is the guilt that comes with eating unhealthy foods. You might feel guilty or ashamed when you eat a lot of junk food. This can lead to feelings of depression.
The second reason is that healthy foods contain nutrients essential for good mental health. For example, omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and nuts. These fatty acids have been linked with a lower risk of depression.
The third reason is that unhealthy foods can lead to inflammation. Inflammation has been linked with a higher risk of depression. So if you’re feeling down, try eating some healthy foods instead of reaching for junk food.
It Can Affect Your Memory
What you eat can also affect your memory. For example, a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that people who ate a Mediterranean diet had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The Mediterranean diet is a diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish.
The study found that people who followed the Mediterranean diet had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. It’s likely because the diet helps to reduce inflammation. Inflammation has been linked with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
It Can Make You Anxious
If you’re feeling anxious, it might be because of your eating. A study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that people who ate a lot of sugar were more likely to be anxious.
The study found a link between sugar and anxiety in men but not women. This could be because men tend to eat more sugar than women.
If you’re anxious, try cutting back on sugary foods and drinks. You might also want to talk to your doctor about other ways to reduce anxiety.
What you eat is who you are. So ensure that you’re eating the right foods to maintain a healthy physical and mental state. Start eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. And avoid processed foods, sugary foods, and drinks. By making these simple changes, you can live a much healthier life.
