We’ve long known that what we eat influences our physical health, but some new research shows that a healthy, balanced diet also gives us superior brain health, cognitive function, and mental wellbeing. 

Researchers from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom and Fudan University in China tracked the dietary preferences of nearly 182,000 older adults in Britain and examined the link between the foods people liked and disliked and their mental wellbeing and cognitive health. 

If you are a picky eater, consider the finding that a balanced diet means better mental health, superior cognitive functions, and even higher amounts of brain grey matter (which is linked to intelligence) compared to people with a less varied diet. 

Genetic predispositions and lifestyle choice also shape wellbeing and the link between diet and brain health. 

A “balanced” diet includes vegetables, fruits, cereals, nuts, seeds, pulses, moderate amounts of dairy, eggs, and fish. 

And it’s that variety of foods and flavours that appears to be the key to brain health. So, a limited diet – such as a vegetarian or high protein diet – could affect how well you are feeding your brain. 

The study’s findings suggest a limited diet could make you more susceptible to anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental distress. 

High sugar and fatty diets have been associated with poorer brain performance, while the “Mediterranean diet”, which is high in fruits, vegetables, fish, and olive oil, has been linked with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.