Publication Date

2022

Document Type

Article

Description

Mental and physical health are closely connected; diet and exercise regimens can affect mental health and stress levels. Research has found links between inflammation—caused by processed foods—causing increased rates of depression. Diets high in fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, can reduce rates of depression by supporting the gut microbiome and by providing essential micronutrients and antioxidants. For our research, the investigation showed links between dietary habits and stress. The online survey was administered through word of mouth, social media, and group chats. The survey gathered information pertaining to the demographics, diet and exercise habits, and mental wellness of 194 participants over the course of three weeks. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The Pearson coefficient was used to examine correlations between students' dietary and lifestyle choices and overall mental well-being. Our results displayed that breakfast would improve mood because skipping breakfast leads to the brain producing excess cortisol. Based on our findings, there was a strong negative correlation between eating breakfast and negative emotions such as eating breakfast and feeling nervousness ( r = -0.186) (P<0.01), eating breakfast and feeling restless (r = -0.210) (P<0.01), and eating breakfast and feeling depressed ( r = -0.155) (P<0.01) . To conclude, eating healthy foods regularly can positively affect brain function; students with healthy eating and exercise patterns have demonstrated reduced stress and anxiety.

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Nutrition and Stress: Finding a Link Between Eating Habits and General Stress & Anxiety

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