The Impact of Nutrition on Mental Health
Angie Cruz-Cano
What are the effects of Nutrition on Mental Health?
Nutrition
Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining the overall health and funtionallity of our bodies. It provides the essential nutrition, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, that the body cells need to function properly. A balanced diet supports growth, development, repair of tissues, as well as supports our immune system. Nutrients also provide energy for our daily activities and help regulate bodily processes. Adequate nutrition can prevent diseases, boost cognitive funtion, and enhance overall well-being. Making informed dietary choices ensures that our bodies recieve the necessary elements to thrive and remain resilient against the challenges of our daily life.
Mental Health
Mental health, one’s emotional and psychological well-being, plays an important role in a body’s overall health. It encompasses an individual's ability to manage stress, relate to others, make choices, and navigate life's challenges. Maintaining good mental health is crucial as it directly impacts one's overall quality of life and functioning. However, when one suffers from mental health disorders, this may cause a wide spectrum of conditions. These could affect a person's thinking, mood, behavior, and daily functioning. Mental health disorders can range from common conditions like depression and anxiety to more severe illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Currently, around the world, there is a mental health crisis as it affects “1 in 5 people” (World Health Organization). Mental illnesses are alarmingly more prevalent than ever before with millions of people worldwide affected. Addressing mental health is a matter of individual well-being and a societal imperative for promoting healthier, more productive communities.
About Me
Angie Cruz-Cano is a senior at Christ the King Catholic High School, class of 2024. She first became interested in this topic after reading an article on how certain foods increase anxiety. Since then she has researched how nutrition strongly connects to ones mental health. With this project she was able to dive deeper into this topic, volunteer at a food bank, and learn about the Catholic Church's teachings on nutrtion.