<p>We all know that eating our fruits and vegetables is going to be important for our health.&nbsp; But is there a connection between our mental and emotional health?&nbsp; Researchers and experts are looking carefully into just that question, both in children and adults, to see if diet could be more related to mental health than previously thought.</p> <p><strong>What is the connection between mental health and fruits and vegetable content?</strong></p> <p>With the prominence of childhood obesity and poor diets, many researchers are already studying the connection between diet and health.&nbsp; As fast food becomes more common, there is also now a growing rate of children who are dealing with mental health issues, too.&nbsp; Researchers have, as a result, started taking a look at just what that connection could be.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Children:</strong> When a proper diet rich in both real and processed fruits and vegetables is the regular diet of a child, they experience a stronger overall mental health status.&nbsp; It is thought that a properly balanced diet can help ward off, or soften, mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.&nbsp; While a healthy diet was not seen to be a &ldquo;cure&rdquo;, it is a prevention technique that can be helpful.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Adults:</strong> In adults where mental health issues are already present, a healthy diet is also seen as a great support for minimizing symptoms.&nbsp; In people who deal with chronic anxiety and depression, proper diets with fruits and vegetables help them to both battle symptoms and also feel more positive overall.&nbsp; By fuelling their body, their mental health was also fuelled and this made day to day life a little easier for those in need.</li> </ul> <p>Since fruits and vegetables are loaded with minerals and vitamins that are not found in fast food diets, the common belief is that those various nutrients and minerals are what help the mind stay strong and &ldquo;healthy&rdquo;, just like the body.&nbsp; Since it is properly fuelled, it can help both children and adults to likewise stay strong and healthy in mental health.&nbsp;</p> <p>There is also some research to suggest that a healthy diet will also fuel treatment plans easier.&nbsp; For those who do not want to resort to medication, for example, it can be a good diet with proper counselling and treatment programs.&nbsp; It is great for starting out or even weaning off of medications, too, if that is the chosen path.</p> <p><strong>How can this help mental health programs?</strong></p> <p>By understanding the connection between diet and mental health both short- and long-term, something as basic as a change in diet can give you support and actual noticeable treatment right from a young age to adulthood.&nbsp; While a proper diet is long known as a great support for a long and healthy life, now mental health programs can also use it as a factor and a treatment.</p> <p>In those who are genetically predisposed to mental health conditions, it could imply that a proper diet can both ease them in children, as well as help &ldquo;pre-treat&rdquo; them in teens and adults later, giving more time and support for programs.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Sources</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091743512006330">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091743512006330</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/1/115">https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/1/115</a> &nbsp;</p>