According to research, improving mental fitness may be achieved by modifying or rebalancing the gut-brain axis and lowering inflammation. This means you'll be less stressed, in a better mood more often, have sharper attention, more energy, and more resilience. It's no secret that consuming nutritious foods gives us a boost of energy. We all know that eating a varied, plant-based diet rich in fermented foods makes us feel intellectually clear and alert. Whole foods, high fiber, probiotics and prebiotics, antioxidants, and omegas are all beneficial mood foods because they encourage the growth of "good" bacteria, which improves neurotransm6itter synthesis and, in turn, our mood. 

Take a minute to think on how fortunate you are to be able to participate in this meal before you lean in to whatever you're about to consume. This can be a formal prayer or as simple as thanking the sun, the ground, the farmers, and even the universe for assisting in the delivery of this meal to your lips in your mind or out loud. 

The gut-brain axis is being studied as part of the latest scientific findings, and it appears that enhancing it can enhance energy, mood, mental concentration, and stress resilience. Aside from reducing stress hormones, mindful eating enables us to slowly and sensually savor the action of eating, creating an experience to delight in.