Healthy Brains – the role of nutrition in helping New Zealanders maintain positive mental health

How we eat, what we eat and how our body uses food can all have an impact on our physical and mental health.

Daily stress and uncertainty can play havoc with our mental well-being. But so can other factors, such as our eating habits and general state of health.

“We’ve long been aware that what we eat and drink can be linked to positive mental health,” says Activity and Nutrition Aotearoa (ANA) executive director Alison Pask. “Conversely, not being able to get enough nutrients from our diets can have a negative effect. Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals are associated with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.”

ANA intends for this brief review to be a discussion paper to create awareness about how food and nutrition can support positive mental health.