This video explains the connection between nutrition and brain health, emphasizing how diet can impact mood and overall well-being. It discusses the role of neurotransmitters, the impact of good and bad bacteria in the GI tract, and suggests foods that boost mood and brain health.

Food is what fuels your brain, and what you eat can significantly impact your brain health and your mood. The connection between diet and emotions stems from the close relationship between your brain and your gastrointestinal tract, or GI tract, often referred to as the "second brain". Here's how it works: Your GI tract is home to billions of bacteria that influence the production of neurotransmitters. These are chemical substances that constantly carry messages from the gut to the brain. Two common examples of neurotransmitters are dopamine and serotonin. Eating healthy food promotes the growth of good bacteria, which in turn positively affects neurotransmitter production. Conversely, a steady diet of junk food can cause inflammation that hampers the production of neurotransmitters. When neurotransmitter production is in good shape, your brain receives these positive messages loud and clear, and your emotions reflect it. However, when the production of neurotransmitters gets affected by the junk food you eat, your mood might also be impacted. Some foods that help boost your mood and overall brain health include whole grains like oats and brown rice, leafy greens like spinach and broccoli, and omega-rich foods like walnuts and salmon. Think of your brain and body together, operating as a machine that is always on and running. This constant operation requires fuel, so make sure to put good fuels, or food, into your body to support your brain and other functions.