Diet’s Impact on Mental Health

Improve Your Mental Health with Watercress

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and B&W Quality Growers, the world’s largest grower of healthy, flavorful leafy greens, highlights nutrition’s impact on your mental well-being.

Mental health and nutrition are reciprocal. What we eat affects our mental health, and our mental health influences how we think, feel, and act. The latest American Medical Association poll shows that 66% of American adults understand the connection, and 81% are inclined to improve their diet to improve mental health.

Americans agree that work (70%), family stress (68%), exercise (65%), and social habits (61%) have a more substantial impact on their mental health compared to their diet (58%). But they are similarly prone to agree that their diet (58%) substantially impacts their mental health. Additionally, of the variables that affect mental health, diet and exercise are the areas individuals have the most control over.

When asked how they’d modified their diet, most adults said it was by drinking more water (66%) and consuming more fruits (50%) and vegetables (53%).

B&W Quality Growers has a quick way to improve your diet with the most nutrient-dense food on the planet – watercress and kale. Watercress is packed with over 50 essential vitamins, minerals, and compounds. Watercress and kale both score a perfect 1000/1000 on the ANDI scale, and watercress is the only food to score a perfect score on the CDC index.

In addition to being the most nutrient-dense food on the planet, watercress also scores high on the Antidepressant Food Scale because of its nutrient-dense properties. For example, watercress has more folate than a banana and more Vitamin C than an orange. Watercress is also an excellent source of highly soluble iron, zinc, magnesium, and Vitamin B. All these nutrients are related to preventing and treating depressive disorders.

Awareness is key. You should also know the signs of mental health struggles for yourself and those around you. This can include a change in eating habits, both over and undereating, insomnia, changes in energy levels, shying away from others, feelings of despair, unexplained confusion, anger, guilt, or anxiety, unable to perform daily tasks, unpredictable mood swings, considering self-harm, and indulging in alcohol or other substances more than usual.

Remember, you’re not a robot; don’t expect yourself to be “on” 24/7. Instead, give yourself a break, eat clean, and take time to replenish.

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About B&W Quality Growers

B&W Quality Growers has been farming responsibly since 1870. We’re among the largest growers of distinctive leafy greens, including watercress, arugula, spinach, and ong choy. We sustainably grow, pack, and ship the highest quality distinctive leafy greens, providing well-being for our consumers and value for our customers. We’ve done this with zero product recalls and aim to provide a healthier, more flavorful world using premium leaves in everyday recipes, and follow B&W on our social media pages.

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Author: Ruth Bozeman has over 20 years in the marketing and health and fitness industries with a proven track record of trust and innovation.