Something to think about

FEW of us associate mental health with what we eat.

But research shows our psychology is profoundly affected by nutrition. Worryingly, many people aren’t getting the nutrients for optimal mental health — the ‘western diet’ is high in fatty and sugary processed foods and alcohol, and low in fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrain cereals.

Mental health can refer to cognition, the ability to analyse a situation or task and formulate and express an appropriate, reasoned response. Performing a crossword puzzle, or recognising people, places, or the time, are examples of cognition. Part of cognition is memory, the lived experience that gives context to our thoughts.