Eating Seasonally and How it Helps Your Brain
By Amy Lupton
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).
For thousands of years, humans have relied on certain foods to nourish the body, mind and soul.
Before the modern technology of refrigeration, and the availability of eating food from all over the world...our ancestors only choice was to eat what was grown in the region around them. This might seem extreme now, given the 24/7 nature available now to all modern societies.
Humans are more connected with our food supply than we might think. The natural cycle of the sun and the way that plants grow is in sync with your body's needs.
Winter greens that grow abundantly help to hydrate the body and give much needed minerals that are lacking in the cold months.
Fresh fruit in summer give much needed electrolytes for the summer warmth, and can even keep the body cool.
Food and your brain go together.
Studies show that mental illness tends to spike seasonally, most in winter. Turns out many of these illnesses such as seasonal affective disorder, anxiety and depression drop in the summer.
Many scientists are now understanding that minerals and nutrients obtained in the other months (and eating seasonally) can prevent or stave off many seasonal brain disorders.
Diet has a huge impact on your brain, especially your hippocampus (which is important for mental health). The hippocampus helps align your external environment with your internal mental health, and food is a wonderful factor in helping these align properly. When the body is demanding certain vitamins and minerals according to what season it is (mostly whether it is dry, cold, hot, humid), eating foods that aligns with your region & season, can jumpstart this.
Nine nutrients that are vital for brain health and cognition:
Omega-3 fats DHA and EPA
Choline
Phosphatidylserine
Acetyl-L-carnitine
Vitamins D
Vitamin B12
MCT oil
Probiotics.
Did you know that certain foods according to season contain what your brain needs to keep your body and brain in tip-top shape?
How to Eat Seasonally:
In our area, in the Hill Country of Texas, the majority of the year is warm and humid. So cooling foods such as fruit and water rich vegetables are a must in this region, and they grow abundantly here.
In the winter months, greens such as kale, collard greens, broccoli, and even chicken eggs (rich in omega-3's, vitamin d) are good to incorporate in. Vitamin D & minerals in these foods help with seasonal depression, and supporting the immune system for health against the common cold and flu.
It is wonderful to pay attention to your region and the typical weather in order to think about proper seasonal eating for yourself and your family.
Your local farmers and farmer's markets are amazing resources as well, they will typically be growing what is in season for your area.
We can't advocate local seasonal eating enough. It supports your local economy, your local farmers and small businesses, and keeps what you're eating fresh.
To find what foods grow in your state according to month, check this site out: https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/
Source: Seasonal Eating and Brain Boost Eli Thomps