Is there a link between food and behavior. Studies show some correlation between the two. Learn more about the link between food and behavior with Cyborggainz.
Diet is an important part of our overall health and wellbeing, and not just from a physical perspective, but from an emotional and behavioral one too.
Scientists have uncovered links between what we eat and its effect on how we feel and behave in our everyday lives.
It is something that Jean Fallacara, scientist and founder of www.cyborggainz.com uses in his fitness programs, which don’t just focus on physical fitness but the brain-body connection and how understanding this is vital to our health.
So, now that we know that everything is interconnected, just exactly what is the link between food and behavior?
Birth and Childhood
Much of our brain and central nervous system develops in the womb, which is why pregnant women are encouraged to eat a healthy diet. Reduction of unhealthy foods and choosing those rich in vitamins and minerals is good not only for the mother’s health but for the healthy development of the baby.
When it comes to childhood behavior and food, researchers are beginning to make definitive discoveries on how certain foods and additives affect children, even though parents have suspected this for a long time.
Diets low in refined sugar and additives, and high in fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and carbs show increased levels of concentration during tasks and at school, sleep better and maintain a healthy weight.
In fact, in many children with behavioral problems and ADHD, diet is looked at as a way to reduce symptoms and behaviors. The additives and e-numbers which have been linked to hyperactivity in children include:
● Sodium benzoate
● Allura red
● Tartrazine
● Quinoline yellow
● Ponceau
Rewarding children with unhealthy foods also teaches them to associate certain behaviors with food, further linking the brain-body connection, and not in a positive way.
Food and Emotions
Many people ‘eat their feelings’. Using food as a reward or to make themselves feel better. It’s very common but can lead to a cycle of emotional eating which in turn has a detrimental effect on weight and health. Increasing weight and poor health can in turn cause negative emotions and depression.
Our diets are so intertwined with our emotions. If they weren’t it would be incredibly easy for people to eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight.
Poor diet has also been linked as a factor in depression, especially if they have low levels of vitamin D. Again, as part of a holistic treatment plan for depression, diet and exercise are looked at alongside a range of medical and psychological treatments.
We’re now at a stage where the medical and psychological professionals are starting to take diet seriously, rather than viewing it as something that controls our weight.
Changing diet is now being recommended as part of wider treatment plans for conditions such as depression, autism, Asperger syndrome, and ADHD.
A study carried out in 2014 found links between the consumption of red meat, sugary soft drinks, and depression.
Many scientists advocate the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, healthy fats, and fish. However, this can be adapted to fit your particular tastes and dietary requirements.
A few changes to make to your diet include eating breakfast that contains complex carbs, healthy fats, and has a low glycemic index. This is shown to improve concentration and stimulate serotonin, which can improve calmness and relaxation.
Additionally, a diet rich in fatty acids is important for brain development and lower levels in diets have been linked to depression. You can find these fats in nuts, seeds, and fish.
The road to complete mental and physical wellness is not an easy one. Obesity levels are rising all over the world, as well as the percentage of those dealing with mental health issues and eating disorders.
It’s never been easier or cheaper to buy unhealthy foods and as a society, we are seeing the consequences of this.
There have been some encouraging signs through the COVID pandemic that people have now started to take their health a lot more seriously, with many people using lockdowns to improve their diet and exercise.
Others have resolved to start making changes to their lifestyles going forward. It may be one of the only small positives to come out of the entire situation.
The Brain-Body Connection
Any elite athlete will tell you that training the brain is just as important as training the body. Check out this Instagram video, https://www.instagram.com/p/CQY4adyjJVo/ where Jean talks about Neuroscience Calisthenics and how, by using the Replay Theory, your brain and body can work together to master new skills.
Recognizing and using this connection is the key to successes both small and large.
So what do we do with this information?
Understanding how food affects us both physically and mentally is important when it comes to looking after our health. We must also keep this in mind when attempting to meet physical goals too. But this goes both ways, our food can affect our mood and behavior and these behaviors can also affect our relationship with food. This can be a vicious cycle or a virtuous one depending on whether your behavior is healthy or unhealthy.
When it comes to our physical health, understanding the effect of food on our behavior is important no matter what the goal is. Whether you’re just trying to get into some healthy habits to improve your overall fitness, or training for a marathon or an elite sport, the science is the same.
No one aspect can be addressed in isolation. If you have an unhealthy relationship with food that is affecting your mental health, then simply changing your diet is likely to fail as you’re not addressing the root cause of the issue.
Similarly with exercise. Starting a training program while maintaining a poor diet is not going to get you the results you want.
Knowing how your body and brain work together and how food affects your behavior is the most important aspect of moving towards your goal and overall health. Contact Cyborg Gainz for more information on how to improve your life.