Unprocessed: What Your Diet Is Doing to Your Brain

The importance of nutrition in mental health is often overlooked, with mental health disorders being treated as mind problems rather than physical brain issues. In this book, psychologist Kimberley Wilson reveals how food and nutrients affect brain development and mental health, including how pregnancy food influences baby brain size and hunger makes people mean. Poor nutrition is also a social injustice, with the poorest and most vulnerable being ignored. We need to take decisive action to address this issue, as things can only get worse.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 11 January 2024
Publisher: Ebury Publishing

The state of mental health within our nation is a pressing concern that requires our immediate attention. However, there is a crucial aspect to this debate that is often overlooked: the role of nutrition in shaping our mental well-being. What most people fail to realize is that nutrition holds immense power over our emotions, identity, and behavior, exerting an influence that extends far beyond our imagination. It impacts various aspects of our lives, including decision-making, aggression, and violence. Despite the overwhelming prevalence of mental health disorders, they are often treated as purely mind-related issues, disregarding the significant impact of the physical brain and the nourishment it receives. Individuals struggling with depression are frequently asked about their relationships with their mothers rather than their dietary habits.

In her groundbreaking book, psychologist Kimberley Wilson sheds light on the profound connection between food and nutrients and brain development and mental health. Drawing on a wealth of startling new research and her extensive experience working in prisons, schools, and hospitals across the country, Wilson unveils the intricate relationship between what we eat and the health of our minds. From the impact of a woman's diet during pregnancy on the size of her baby's brain to the effects of hunger on our behavior, she reveals the hidden secrets of nutrition and its profound effects on our mental well-being.

Furthermore, Wilson recognizes poor nutrition as a social injustice, with the most vulnerable members of our society being systematically ignored and marginalized. It is essential to acknowledge that the poorest and most marginalized individuals are often at a higher risk of experiencing mental health disorders due to their limited access to nutritious food. We must address this issue as a collective responsibility and take decisive action to ensure that everyone has access to healthy and nutritious food.

The time for talk is over; we need to have a meaningful conversation about what our food is doing to our brains. We cannot afford to rely on overused soundbites and empty promises from those in power. If we fail to act decisively, the situation will only worsen, leading to further suffering and hardship for countless individuals.

In conclusion, the relationship between nutrition and mental health is a complex and multifaceted issue that demands our immediate attention. By recognizing the power of food and nutrients in shaping our mental well-being, we can take steps to address this crisis and create a healthier and more equitable society for all. Let us work together to promote nutrition education, access to healthy food options, and policies that prioritize mental health and well-being. Together, we can build a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.

Weight: 220g
Dimension: 192 x 128 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780753559765