'Balanced diet leads to better mental health as well and higher amounts of grey matter in brain'

We know that a healthy diet is good for the heart, the arteries and almost every other organ in the body. Is it good for the brain too? As you’d expect, it is, in fact for “superior’ brain health. Our food choices affect cognitive function and mental wellbeing in a profound way.

Warwick University researchers looked at the dietary choices of a large sample of 181,990 people from the UK Biobank and compared them to a range of physical measurements, including cognitive function, blood metabolic biomarkers, brain imaging and genetics. An online questionnaire collected the food preferences of each of the participants which the team then categorised into 10 groups (such as alcohol, fruits and meats). The data revealed a balanced diet was associated with better mental health, superior cognitive functions and even higher amounts of grey matter in the brain – linked to intelligence – compared with those eating a less varied diet.

If you’re thinking of making changes, do it slowly by reducing sugar and fat intake over time, and people may find themselves naturally gravitating towards healthier food choices. Lead author, Professor Jianfeng Feng, of Warwick University, emphasised the importance of establishing healthy food preferences early in life. He said: “Developing a healthy balanced diet from an early age is crucial for healthy growth.

To foster the development of a healthy balanced diet, both families and schools should offer a diverse range of nutritious meals and .