People may need to adjust their diets as they age to continue enhancing their mental well-being, suggests a study published online in Nutritional Neuroscience.

Researchers developed the findings after looking at differences in how dietary factors influence mental health in young adults, in whom brain maturation is not complete, and mature adults. Two groups of participants, young adults age 18-29 and adults age 30 and older, completed an anonymous internet-based survey that included questions on food groups associated with neurochemistry and neurobiology.

The mood of young adults, researchers found, seems to be dependent on food that increases the availability of neurotransmitter precursors and concentrations in the brain. The study mentioned a positive influence of frequent meat consumption and exercise, in particular.

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“Young adult mood appears to be sensitive to the buildup of brain chemicals,” said Lina Begdache, PhD, assistant professor of health and wellness studies, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York. “Another noteworthy finding is that regular consumption of meat leads to the buildup of 2 brain chemicals (serotonin and dopamine) known to promote mood. Regular exercise leads to buildup of these and other neurotransmitters as well.

“In other words, young adults who ate meat (red or white) less than 3 times a week and exercised less than 3 times week showed a significant mental distress.”

The mood of adults age 30 or older, meanwhile, was more reliant on food that increases availability of antioxidants, such as fruit. Avoidance of food that stresses the sympathetic nervous system was also important.

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“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,” added Dr. 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 many carbohydrates, we are more likely to experience mental distress.”

—Jolynn Tumolo

References

Begdache L, Chaar M, Sabounchi N, Kianmehr H. Assessment of dietary factors, dietary practices and exercise on mental distress in young adults versus matured adults: a cross-sectional study. Nutritional Neuroscience. 2017 December 11;[Epub ahead of print].

Your mood depends on the food you eat, and what you should eat changes as you get holder [press release]. Binghamton, New York: Binghamton University; December 11, 2017.