Young adults and
mature adults require different food to improve their mental health
Date:
December 11, 2017
Source:
Binghamton University
Summary:
Diet and dietary practices differentially affect mental
health in young adults versus older adults, according to new research.
Diet and dietary
practices differentially affect mental health in young adults versus older
adults, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University
of New York.
Lina Begdache,
assistant professor of health and wellness studies at Binghamton University,
along with fellow Binghamton researchers, conducted an anonymous internet
survey, asking people around the world to complete the Food-Mood Questionnaire
(FMQ), which includes questions on food groups that have been associated with
neurochemistry and neurobiology. Analyzing the data, Begdache and Assistant
Professor of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering Nasim Sabounchi found
that mood in young adults (18-29) seems to be dependent on food that increases
availability of neurotransmitter precursors and concentrations in the brain
(meat). However, mood in mature adults (over 30 years) may be more reliant on
food that increases availability of antioxidants (fruits) and abstinence of
food that inappropriately activates the sympathetic nervous system (coffee,
high glycemic index and skipping breakfast).
“One of the
major findings of this paper is that diet and dietary practices differentially
affect mental health in young adults versus mature adults,” said Begdache.
“Another noteworthy finding is that young adult mood appears to be
sensitive to build-up of brain chemicals. Regular consumption of meat leads to
build-up of two brain chemicals (serotonin and dopamine) known to promote mood.
Regular exercise leads to build-up of these and other neurotransmitters as
well. In other words, young adults who ate meat (red or white) less than three
times a week and exercised less than three times week showed a significant
mental distress.”
“Conversely,
mature adult mood seems to be more sensitive to regular consumption of sources
of antioxidants and abstinence of food that inappropriately activates the
innate fight-or-flight response (commonly known as the stress response),”
added Begdache. “With aging, there is an increase in free radical
formation (oxidants), so our need for antioxidants increases. Free radicals
cause disturbances in the brain, which increases the risk for mental distress.
Also, our ability to regulate stress decreases, so if we consume food that
activates the stress response (such as coffee and too much carbohydrates), we
are more likely to experience mental distress.”
Begdache and her
team are interested in comparing dietary intake between men and women in relation
to mental distress. There is a gender difference in brain morphology which may
be also sensitive to dietary components, and may potentially explain some the
documented gender-specific mental distress risk, said Begdache.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Binghamton University. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal
Reference:
1.
Lina Begdache, Maher Chaar, Nasim Sabounchi, Hamed
Kianmehr. Assessment of dietary factors, dietary practices and exercise on mental
distress in young adults versus matured adults: A cross-sectional study.
Nutritional
Neuroscience, 2017; 1 DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2017.1411875
Cite This Page:
Binghamton
University. “Your mood depends on the food you eat, and what you should
eat changes as you get older: Young adults and mature adults require different
food to improve their mental health.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11
December 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171211192738.htm>.
Binghamton University. (2017, December 11). Your mood
depends on the food you eat, and what you should eat changes as you get older:
Young adults and mature adults require different food to improve their mental
health. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 14, 2017 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171211192738.htm
Binghamton University. “Your mood depends on the
food you eat, and what you should eat changes as you get older: Young adults
and mature adults require different food to improve their mental health.”
ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171211192738.htm (accessed
December 14, 2017).
