
Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition 3381: Lost Your Edge? Could It Be Something You Ate? By Dr. Jenny Brockis on Nutrition And Performance
May 2, 2026
A deep dive into how diet affects mood, cognition, and long-term mental health. Explores the gut-brain connection and research linking sugar and processed fats to anxiety and depression. Covers practical swaps, workplace food strategies, and Mediterranean-style approaches to support sustained mental clarity and performance.
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Diet Directly Shapes Mood Through Gut Brain Axis
- Diet directly shapes mood and cognition through the gut-brain axis.
- Whitehall II data linked high processed sugar intake to lowered mood and higher anxiety/depression risk over time.
High Sugar And Trans Fats Raise Mental Illness Risk
- Processed sugars and trans fats harm cognition and mental health over time.
- Whitehall II found men consuming >67g/day had a 23% higher risk of mental illness vs ~39.5g/day over five years.
Cut Sugar And Swap Snacks For Whole Foods
- Reduce sugar and trans fat intake and choose fresh, unprocessed foods at home and work.
- Swap sweet snacks for nuts, fruit, veg sticks and water; avoid sweetened beverages and juices.
