Breaking
FoodNerdy Recipes Management System
Tag

depression

Browsing
health

Coffee Prevents Depression

Coffee protects against depression. This is not old peasant wisdom, but a fact that US researchers have been researching for a long time. The connections are still a little unclear, but a test with almost 60,000 American women over a period of 10 years confirmed the thesis that coffee protects against depression.

The healthy coffee bean

In the long-term test of the study, it became clear that women who drink little or no coffee are much more prone to depression than women for whom a coffee party every day is very important. Just enjoying two or three cups of coffee reduced the risk of depression by 15% compared to the anti-coffee drinkers. If you enjoyed four cups of coffee a day, the value even increased by 20%. If the annual consumption of Germans were to increase from the current 150 liters, there would hardly be any people suffering from depression. Unfortunately, this thesis is very daring, because depressions often have pathological characteristics that you certainly cannot tackle with coffee alone.

Why can drinking coffee be so healthy?

Coffee contains many substances that act as antioxidants on humans. For this reason, coffee also reduces the symptoms of prostate cancer, here too research is still groping in the dark. However, one thing has always been clear. The effect of caffeine on the nervous system, in its stimulating way, has long been known. After all, humans do not ingest most of the caffeine through the cola, but 80% through the enjoyment of coffee.

Keep Reading
By
health

Coffee Helps Prevent Depression

Studies advocate coffee consumption because its positive effects can prevent depression.

Does coffee mean the end of depression?

Coffee is known to have many positive effects on the human body: it acts as a pick-me-up thanks to the stimulating properties of caffeine and is also healthy thanks to its many vital substances. It can also help with slimming. Studies now suggest that coffee can help with depression. According to research, certain ingredients in coffee have a protective effect that prevents depression. But what exactly is supposed to cause this effect?

How coffee prevents depression

Depression is caused by constant, chronic stress. Certain connection points between certain nerve cells (synapses) no longer function properly. As a result, one becomes forgetful and anxious. There are already several studies that have specialized in coffee consumption in depression or chronic stress that leads to depression. The following results came out:

A 2012 study with rats showed that the caffeine in coffee can prevent depression. In this study, the rats were subjected to repeated and unpredictable stress, which caused them to exhibit depressive behavior and increased anxiety, among other things. The rats were given caffeine orally for a long period of time. This caffeine consumption caused an antidepressant and anxiolytic effect similar to the antidepressant. In another study, mice were exposed to stress for three weeks, which also showed corresponding conditions. They were less able to orientate themselves and had more stress hormones in their blood, and they also seemed joyless and helpless. The constant stress meant that more adenosine receptors were formed at the synapses and, especially in the hippocampus (the gateway to memory), the synapses no longer worked properly. If a specific gene was blocked by the caffeine, the mice were protected from depression. Thus, caffeine could be instrumental in preventing depression.

In a first meta-analysis, Chinese researchers recognized that both coffee consumption and caffeine consumption reduce the risk of depression. On average, the risk of depression fell by eight percent per cup of coffee per day in this analysis. The risk was also lower with regular caffeine consumption, but it did not decrease evenly. A second meta-analysis had comparable results. The amounts of coffee consumed were also examined here. Those who drank a lot of coffee had a lower relative risk of developing depression. 400 ml of coffee per day showed the best protective effect against depression. Green tea and caffeine also had some protective effects.

Coffee to prevent depression

Many studies suggest that daily coffee consumption can prevent depression. However, the results differed with regard to the substance responsible for this effect. In some studies, caffeine consumption alone is sufficient. A possible answer could be the adenosine receptors, which are blocked by caffeine. In others, the caffeine only works better in connection with the coffee drink against depression. It can also be other substances or the interaction of several ingredients that have the positive effect against mental disorders caused by constant stress. But one thing is certain: if you consume a certain amount of coffee every day, you build up a protective effect that reduces the risk of depression.

Keep Reading
By
Lifestyle

Avoid Annoying Winter Depression

Avoid winter depression with these clever tips. Declare war on the winter blues and bad moods now. Stay healthy with natural home remedies and get fit through the winter.

Winter is slowly arriving and with the cold season, not only the temperatures but also the immune system and the mood often fall into the red.

What is winter depression?

The lack of sunlight and the gray weather are triggers for winter depression. These so-called seasonal depressions in winter often occur together with listlessness and fatigue and many people suffer from this annually recurring depressive mood. However, these winter depressions can be avoided with simple tips.

1) Healthy eating

Especially in winter, it is important that we equip ourselves with all vitamins because an adequate supply lifts the spirits and prevents depression. We need vitamin C for the formation of the happiness hormone serotonin, as well as for a strong immune system, which is why citrus fruits such as tangerines or oranges are both healthy treats and real vitamin C bombs. Other good suppliers of vitamin C are seasonal vegetables such as kale, savoy cabbage, or white cabbage.

How about a green smoothie made from kale and oranges? But vitamin B6, which can also be found in cabbage, green beans, and lentils, forms the depression killer serotonin. Do you like cracking walnuts in winter? This is great, because the omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts and flaxseed are not only good for the brain but also good for avoiding winter blues. Also, note our home remedies to strengthen your immune system.

2) Supplement vitamins

We cannot get all the vitamins from our food in winter, which means that we are welcome to help with supplements. Most people are vitamin D deficient because vitamin D is only found in sunlight. This means that we are supplied with it even less in the dark season. Vitamin D deficiency manifests itself as a lack of drive and fatigue. Also, read our tips against tiredness.

Vitamin deficiency is considered to be one of the main triggers for depression in winter or for the so-called seasonally dependent depression. Here vitamin tablets help to replenish the memory. In general, it can be helpful to take additional vitamin tablets every day, but these do not replace a balanced diet. For those who prefer not to take pills at all, natural antidepressants and mood enhancers might be something for you. Black cumin oil is suitable as a home remedy for physical and mental well-being.

3) Warm baths or showers for depression

Cold and wet weather outside in winter makes you depressed? There is nothing nicer than pampering yourself with a warm bath and switching off. A cold bath or a relaxing bath is healthy for the body and soul. Bath bombs can color the water and lift spirits. The right scents declare war on winter depression: lavender has a calming effect, while citrus scents put you in a good mood. Why not bring summer into the bathroom with summery scents such as coconut or passion fruit? Scented candles placed on the edge of the bathtub create a pleasant atmosphere. Note our other ideas for body relaxation with bath additives and peelings.

Is no bathtub available? No problem – there are also great shower gels, peelings, and body lotions that sweeten your winter with the right scents. Incidentally, it doesn’t always have to be warm here, because contrast showers and a few minutes of cold showers revitalize you even in winter and get your circulation going. You can also massage yourself in the shower with massage sponges or use shower jelly. Fragrant body milk or body butter is particularly important to protect the skin from drying out. Applying lotion slowly helps to consciously perceive the body. For the ultimate wellness feeling, you can turn your bathroom into a wintry spa on your own four walls.

4) Invigorating drinks are good for winter blues

In winter, a good cup of tea is a must. Fresh ginger and lemon are the big hits here because they are not only healthy and strengthen the immune system, but they also help against winter depression. Simply pour warm water over ginger pieces and lemon slices and leave to infuse. Yogi teas, chai, and other Indian spice blends provide the energy boost you need. Try our great tips for making tea with temperature and brewing time.

Golden milk is also a miracle weapon: mix warm almond or oat milk with a little turmeric, ginger, vanilla, a pinch of aniseed and coriander, and if you like, a little cinnamon. Would you like even more spice? Some pepper and chili in the Golden Milk is healthy and gives you power. This Indian insider tip not only warms you from the inside and tastes wintry, but also impresses with its beautiful yellow color. But the classic is cocoa, which is also a true mood enhancer. Discover the healthy effects of cocoa as a miracle cure.

5) Get out into nature! The immune system is also happy

Especially in winter: put on a winter jacket and explore the area, because how do you say it? There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. A wintry landscape invites you to walk and dream. Maybe one of the other parks offers good motives for photos?

Maybe you meet one or the other animal that you can still observe? Walks and fresh air help against brooding and circling thoughts. Connecting with nature brings new ideas and turns winter depression into winter motivation. The immune system and our mood will thank us if we don’t just hide away at low temperatures, but become active.

Keep Reading
By
Lifestyle

Weight, Personality, Depression: This is How Vegetarians and Meat Eaters Differ

How do eating habits affect people? Researchers at the Max Planck Institute wanted to find out: In a large-scale study, they compared people who eat meat with those who consume little or none.

Diet with or without meat: these are the differences

The researchers were interested in three characteristics – the subjects’ weight, their mental health and personality traits. The results:

1. Weight

Participants who ate less meat and dairy products had a lower BMI – i.e. they were leaner. According to the study, this is because animal products are often higher in calories and contain more saturated fats. They are also consumed more frequently than processed foods and are therefore even higher in calories.

2. Personality

People who ate fewer animal products tended to be more introverted in the study. It is unclear what the reason for this is, says Veronica Witte, head of the study, on Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR). “It could be because more introverted people tend to have more restrictive eating habits or become more socially isolated because of their eating habits.”

The scientists also investigated whether there was a link between the plant-based diet and neuroticism. People Higher in Neuroticism People are considered to be more anxious, moody, and irritable. Previous studies have suggested a link between a vegetarian diet and neuroticism. However, the current study could not confirm this.

3. Mental Health

The study also analyzed whether vegetarians were more likely to be depressed. Previous studies had pointed this out as well. However, the researchers at the Max Planck Institute were also unable to confirm this connection.

Lessons from the study

The scientists conclude from their study that a vegetarian lifestyle can above all be an effective way to combat obesity. The results also suggest that introverts are more likely to adjust their diet accordingly. Further studies are needed to clarify why this is the case.

Utopia says: The findings of this study again indicate that a vegetarian diet does not have any health disadvantages – on the contrary. And it’s better for animals and the environment anyway.

Keep Reading
By