Latest news with #npjMentalHealthResearch
Mint
06-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
To boost your mood, treat your brain to good food. Here's why
We've long known that food can offer us comfort—a bowl of soup on a sick day, chocolate after a heartbreak, an ice cream shared in silence can do wonders. But have you ever wondered if that 'sense of comfort' the food offered was deeper than nostalgia or craving? What if the food we eat is quietly recalibrating the brain itself... shaping our moods, sharpening or dulling our emotional edges, and tipping the scales between calm and chaos? Modern science is affirming what many have intuitively sensed: our guts and our minds are in constant, biochemical conversation. And as the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry reveals what's on our plate doesn't just affect our waistlines, it shapes our sense of joy, resilience, and clarity. According to a 2022 study published by Springer Nature, Associations of Neurotransmitters and the Gut Microbiome with Emotional Distress in Mixed Type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome , serotonin—one of the brain's key mood regulators—is predominantly produced in the gut. 'More than 90 percent of the body's serotonin is synthesized in the gastrointestinal tract," the report notes, reinforcing the intimate, biological bond between our emotional state and our digestive health. The conversation between gut and brain extends even further. A 2025 article in npj Mental Health Research, headlined Probiotics reduce negative mood over time: the value of daily self-reports in detecting effects , reveals that individuals with certain psychological traits—particularly those who are more risk-averse— experience a notable reduction in negative mood when taking probiotics. 'In the future," the authors note, 'probiotics may potentially be targeted to individuals to reduce the risk of clinical onset of mental health conditions." Emerging research now points to dietary fiber and fermented foods as among the most powerful modulators of gut-brain health. 'Prebiotic fibers found in bananas, onions, and asparagus serve as fuel for beneficial gut bacteria," Nikhil Kapur, founder and director of Atmantan Wellness Centre, explains. 'Meanwhile, fermented foods like kimchi and kefir introduce probiotics—microorganisms that can influence neurotransmitter production and even reduce anxiety." What Kapur is saying isn't esoteric wellness jargon; it's backed by science. About 90% of serotonin—the so-called 'feel good" neurotransmitter—is produced in the gut. But this serotonin production relies heavily on dietary inputs like tryptophan, an amino acid, Kapur notes. 'A diet lacking these building blocks will invariably affect mood." The gut microbiome, a teeming ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms, also produces gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), our body's natural tranquilizer. When this microbial balance is disrupted—a condition called dysbiosis—it can trigger inflammation, impair neurotransmitter production, and derail emotional stability. Despite mounting evidence, many people continue to view diet and mental health as unrelated. 'One common misconception is that mental health is purely psychological or neurological, with no bearing on nutrition," Kapur notes adding, 'But this ignores the gut's role in everything from neurotransmitter production to inflammation regulation." Dr Astik Joshi, a New Delhi-based child and adolescent psychiatrist, concurs: 'While the evidence base linking specific diets to mood disorders isn't yet universally established, there is strong clinical consensus that diets lacking essential micronutrients—like B-vitamins, iron, or zinc—can increase one's likelihood of developing mental health issues." Another misconception is the dismissal of emotional eating as a mere lack of willpower. 'The microbiome influences our cravings," says Kapur. 'When gut health is compromised, it can set off a vicious cycle of craving more unhealthy foods, which further destabilize mood." While the connection between food and mood is rather evident, it's necessary to note that nutritional psychiatry isn't meant to replace traditional treatments. Rather, it complements them, offering dietary interventions that support emotional well-being. Dr Purnima Nagaraja, a consulting psychotherapist at Dhrithi Wellness Clinic in Hyderabad, has long integrated nutrition into her practice. Our first line of intervention is often dietary, she says. 'We make adjustments to restore balance, especially in strict vegetarian diets. Since plant-based sources of B12 are limited, we turn to fortified foods or consider supplements when necessary." Protein intake is another focal point. Since vegetarian diets can be overly carbohydrate-heavy, Nagaraja encourages the inclusion of more protein through milk, curd, and paneer. 'These foods not only provide protein but also act as natural probiotics. We've seen fermented foods alleviate symptoms of anxiety and, in some cases, support children on the autism spectrum," she explains. And then there's water—often the most overlooked yet essential nutrient. Even mild dehydration (just a 1–2% fluid loss) can manifest as fatigue, irritability, anxiety, or depressive symptoms. Hydration, experts say, is crucial to biochemical and hormonal balance in the brain. 'I emphasize the importance of nutrition with every patient, even if I have just a minute during a busy outpatient day," says Dr. Charan Teja Koganti, neuro-psychiatrist at KIMS Hospital. And water, he says, is always part of that conversation. 'I often tell my patients, 'How did you reach the hospital—by car? And can a car run without fuel?' The brain is the same. It cannot function optimally without its fuel: water, glucose, and oxygen." Often, when we're under stress, we mistake thirst for hunger. Dr. Koganti explains, 'This confusion arises because the neural signals for both thirst and appetite originate from the same region of the brain—the hypothalamus. As a result, we may end up eating when our body is simply asking for water." The biological pathways connecting poor diets to mental health issues are complex but increasingly well understood. Chronic inflammation—often fueled by ultra-processed foods—disrupts neuronal signaling and hinders the brain's ability to form new synaptic connections. 'Ultra-processed foods, high in sugar and additives, can cause wild fluctuations in blood glucose levels," says Kapur. 'These crashes impair decision-making, concentration, and trigger mood swings." The stress axis of the body—the HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis—is also sensitive to nutritional status. Dysbiosis and poor diets can throw this axis off balance, resulting in erratic cortisol levels associated with anxiety and depression. Two important factors implicated in nutritional psychiatry are oxidative stress and inflammation, explains Koganti. 'Any diet that is pro-inflammatory can worsen mental health conditions, especially in a vulnerable population. These include processed foods, fried foods, sugars, sugary beverages, red meat, and refined carbohydrates. On the other hand, a diet richwith anti-inflammatory foods helps with your mood, cognition, and behaviour. These include turmeric, ginger, garlic, brightly-coloured fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats," he adds. Looking ahead, experts worry that the ubiquity of processed foods and irregular eating habits could reshape not only our physical health, but our emotional resilience. Joshi sees an urgent need for psychiatry to evolve. 'Traditional psychiatry focuses on pharmacological solutions but we cannot ignore the critical role of diet in both prevention and recovery." As the science of nutritional psychiatry gains traction, it offers a powerful lens for rethinking wellness. Parallelly, it also demands a more holistic view of mental healthcare—one that bridges therapy, medication, and yes, the dinner. Tanisha Saxena is a Delhi-based independent journalist. She writes stories that are on the intersection of art, culture and lifestyle.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists uncover a breakthrough in how probiotics impact mental health
As interest grows around how gut health might impact mental health, researchers have discovered that probiotics could be the next breakthrough supplement to fight negative emotions. A small new study published in the journal npj Mental Health Research found that daily probiotic supplements were associated with significantly reduced anxiety, stress, and fatigue in healthy adults. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design in 88 healthy volunteers reported their mood daily, and saw improved mood after two weeks of taking probiotics. Probiotics—endorsed by recently confirmed Medicaid and Medicare head Dr. Mehmet Oz—are the 'good' bacteria in your gut, found in fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, kefir, and kombucha. Within your gut lies the gut microbiome, made up of trillions of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. To keep your gut healthy, that bacteria needs to be fed and maintained—which is where probiotic-rich foods and supplements can help. For the study, participants were split into two groups, with one group taking a probiotic containing nine bacterial strains over the course of 28 days and the other given a placebo. Subjects then completed psychological questionnaires, a daily mood report, and computer tasks testing how they were processing their emotions. Once they hit the two-week mark, researchers observed that the probiotic group's negative mood significantly reduced, while there was no impact on positive mood. 'It is striking that by simply asking participants how they were feeling each day, we could detect the beneficial effects of probiotics on mood,' said study co-author Laura Steenbergen. There is mounting evidence that your gut health impacts your mental health. 'The gut-brain connection provides various routes through which bacteria in the gut can influence how we feel and behave, including via the vagus nerve, immune system and hormones,' said study co-author Katerina Johnson. That means that our gut directly communicates with our brain, impacting our mental wellbeing. Inflammation in your gut can also lead to mood disruption, studies show, including anxiety-related mental health issues. In this new study, researchers found that the group taking probiotics had not only an overall reduction in negative emotions, but lower feelings of anxiety, stress, worry, and rumination. Researchers also noted that those who had the greatest effect from the probiotics on their mood were those who self-described as risk-avoidant. 'Perhaps in the future probiotics could be used in a targeted way as an early intervention to reduce the chances of negative feelings progressing to mental health conditions such as depression, though more research would be needed to confirm that,' says Steenbergen. While not everyone agrees that probiotics have benefits, they are a heavily studied supplement—with over 1,000 clinical trials and counting—that could potentially support your health in myriad ways in addition to mood. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements, well-researched benefits of probiotics may include: Probiotics have been shown to reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, which can happen as a result of antibiotics disrupting the gut microbiome, specifically when patients started taking probiotics within two days of the first antibiotic dose. The NIH also points out that some evidence links single- and multi-strain probiotics to alleviating the symptoms and duration of acute infectious diarrhea in children. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. While there is no cure for it, research reflects that probiotics can help manage symptoms, although the NIH notes that clinical guidelines do not specifically recommend probiotics for IBD. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which presents similarly to IBD and causes disruption to the digestive system, is not considered a disease and does not lead to inflamed or damaged intestines. However, its symptoms can be just as disruptive—and according to the NIH, certain probiotic products have the potential to restore some microbiome functionality and help manage the symptoms of this condition. Taking combinations of certain probiotic strains could help improve lipid profiles, research indicates—specifically reducing total and LDL (bad) cholesterol. However, more research is still needed to understand the full extent of probiotics and cholesterol. Since the microbes of the intestinal tract help extract nutrients and energy from food—therefore impacting calorie expenditure and storage—the NIH reports that probiotics could be a tool used in weight management. Some clinical trials on probiotics and obesity have reported potentially positive results, but more research is still needed. For more on gut health: Probiotics and prebiotics are essential for gut health. Here's how to get the best of both Coca-Cola is Olipop's and Poppi's latest prebiotic soda competitor. But are 'healthy' sodas actually good for you? 11 benefits of chia seeds from gut health to weight loss 5 gut-healthy foods everyone should be eating, according to science This story was originally featured on
Jordan News
12-04-2025
- Health
- Jordan News
Eating Yogurt Reduces Feelings of Anxiety and Stress - Jordan News
Eating Yogurt Reduces Feelings of Anxiety and Stress A Dutch study has found that consuming yogurt or dietary supplements rich in probiotics may help alleviate negative feelings such as anxiety, stress, and fatigue. اضافة اعلان Researchers from Leiden University in the Netherlands explained that these findings support the scientific hypothesis of a strong connection between gut health and mental health. The results were published Thursday in the journal npj Mental Health Research. The research focused on the impact of probiotics—beneficial bacteria that support digestive and immune health—on the mental well-being of healthy individuals. Probiotics occur naturally in foods such as yogurt, fermented cheese, pickles, and other fermented products. They are also available in supplement form. In recent years, interest in probiotics has grown due to their potential mental health benefits, particularly concerning the gut-brain axis, which links digestive health with mood and emotions. The study involved a group of healthy young adults who consumed probiotic supplements daily for one month. Participants' mental states were assessed through daily questionnaires, computerized tests, and self-written mood reports, evaluating how they managed their emotions. The researchers found that those who consumed probiotics experienced a significant reduction in negative emotions, including anxiety, stress, fatigue, and mild depressive symptoms, compared to participants who received a placebo. Mood improvements began to emerge after just two weeks of probiotic use—about the same time it takes for antidepressants to start working, according to the findings. Interestingly, probiotics reduced only negative emotions without affecting positive ones, unlike antidepressants, which tend to influence overall mood in both directions. Despite the encouraging results, the researchers emphasized that probiotics are not a substitute for antidepressants in individuals diagnosed with clinical depression. The study also showed that people who are more risk-averse or have certain personality traits may benefit more from probiotics. Additionally, a slight improvement was noted in participants' ability to recognize facial expressions, suggesting a possible influence of probiotics on emotional signal processing. The researchers described probiotics as a natural and relatively safe option that may help improve mental well-being in some cases, especially for prevention or early intervention. They called for further studies to confirm the results and explore the potential of using probiotics to prevent the escalation of negative emotions into full-blown mental health disorders like depression. (Agencies)
