(NaturalNews) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 10 Americans experience depression, which can affect everything from the outcome of chronic health conditions to work productivity (1).

Many drugs are prescribed to alleviate the symptoms, however, rather than relying on such costly and potentially life-threatening options, a variety of foods can help banish depression.

Most people have seen images of a medicine cabinet filled with pill bottles alongside a refrigerator stocked with healthy fruits and vegetables, with wording that encourages thinking of fresh foods as nature's medicine cabinet. It's true. Fresh, whole foods have the ability to heal, mentally and physically. Here are top foods that can help people manage depression.

Best foods to fight depression

Cacao

Whatever the preferred form of cacao, whether powder or nibs, it's a wise choice that has been shown to boost moods. Studies have shown that cacao not only plays a role in helping others achieve better mental clarity, but that it has substances that trigger feel-good chemicals in the brain (2).

Maca

This amazing superfood has been associated with creating a decrease in feelings of hopelessness, while also improving memory and energy levels (2). It's thought that because consumption of maca boosts energy levels and encourages physical activity, that it may be beneficial for lethargic depression.

Bananas

This fruit contains melatonin, a hormone which is necessary to regulate sleep levels that are often put in a state of unbalance when one is in a depressed state (3). Bananas also have amino acids that are used by the brain to regulate mood.

Antioxidant-rich vegetables

It's no secret that vegetables provide a whole host of health benefits, and that incorporating more of them into diets is wise. However, it has been noted that eating vegetables that have the highest levels of antioxidants, such as spinach and kale, leads to improvements in mood (3).

Nuts

Omega-3 foods such as nuts can create a more stable mood, while also warding off anxiety, which many depressed people experience. Nuts like pecans and walnuts are high in these healthy fatty acids, making them an ideal choice to help regulate mood.

Sources for this article include:

(1) http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdepression/

(2) http://www.naturalnews.com

(3) http://www.livestrong.com/article/39890-foods-can-anxiety-depression/

About the author:
A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. >>> Click here to see more by Antonia