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Apples are pictured at a fruit and vegetables market in Warsaw August 13, 2014 REUTERS/Filip Klimaszewski

People who consume proper diet with ample intake of nutrients are more likely to enjoy better mental health, a new study finds.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Melbourne, in collaboration with researchers from Deakin University. Lead author Dr Jerome Sarris from the University of Melbourne noted that the findings of this new study suggests that public health officials to focus on educating people about embracing proper diet and nutrition for better mental health.

“While the determinants of mental health are complex, the emerging and compelling evidence for nutrition as a key factor in the high prevalence and incidence of mental disorders suggests that nutrition is as important to psychiatry as it is to cardiology, endocrinology and gastroenterology,” Sarris said in a press statement. “In the last few years, significant links have been established between nutritional quality and mental health. Scientifically rigorous studies have made important contributions to our understanding of the role of nutrition in mental health.”

The researchers noted that nutrition is as important to psychiatry as it is to endocrinology, cardiology and gastroenterology. This is not the first study that has highlighted the strong association among diet quality and potential nutritional deficiencies and mental health. Previous studies have also found evidence suggesting the effects of omega-3s, B vitamins (particularly folate and B12), choline, iron, zinc, magnesium, S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe), vitamin D and amino acids on brain health.

How to benefit from eating the right way

There is no denying that a proper diet can lead to various health benefits, including weight loss, lower risk of heart disease and better physical health. Mental Health recently released an article with useful tips of how people can health healthy.

  • Include a lot of fruits and vegetables in your diet

  • Cut down on sugary drinks, oily foods and alcohol consumption

  • Eat meals regularly
  • Add a lot of refined food like wholegrain cereals, nuts, beans, and lentils to your diet

Though the new study encourages psychiatrists to include nutritional considerations as a priority into their practices, it may not be quite possible, Examiner reports. Considering the Citizens Commission on Human Rights has noted that psychiatry does more harm than good, psychiatrists may find it difficult to enforce this into their practices.

Findings of the study were published online in The Lancet Psychiatry