Students will be able to:

Summarize the role of the vagus nerve in the body including where it is located

Recognize different foods that can positively impact mental health and well-being

The Vagus Nerve:

  • Many studies review the important implications the vagus nerve has on the body. 
  • The vagus nerve attaches from the brain to the gut, carrying information throughout the organs of the body.
  • When the vagus nerve is active, and stimulated, it is said to minimize chronic disease and mental health. 
  • One way to stimulate the vagus nerve is by eating a well-balanced diet. This will stimulate the gut-microbiota, and positively benefit the pathway to the brain.
  • This stimulation will positively impact the body as the vagus nerve is attached to the gut/brain

Please read this article:

https://foodforthebrain.org/supporting-vagus-nerve-function-is-this-the-missing-link-to-improving-mental-health/.

Labeled anatomical structure scheme and location diagram of human body longest nerve.

One way to stimulate the vagus nerve is by eating a well-balanced diet (Food for the Brain, 2021). As this nerve is elongated throughout the body, connecting from the gut to the brain, this stimulation positively affects the brain and all other organs it is connected to: heart, and lungs (Medical News Today, 2017). Similarly, As the brain and digestive tracts are linked by the vagus nerve (Velasquez-Manoff, 2013), we can better grasp this connection through a common feeling. When we experience the “feeling of butterflies” in our stomach when we are nervous, it is the vagus nerve that is triggered.

A suggestion in stimulating this nerve is by eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and a diet high in fermented foods (Food for the Brain, 2021). Fermented foods are found in foods: sauerkraut and kimchi (Food for the Brain, 2021). Additionally, university students may worry about the higher price of healthier foods. In a study by Carlson & Frazao (2012), authors measure $/calorie, $/edible gram, and $/average portion, and find that healthier foods actually cost less than unhealthy foods.

Please watch this video:

Reflect and annotate (interactive activity):

  • Did you know that this nerve existed?
  • What is something new that you learnt?
  • Did you recognize the importance of a healthy diet is?
  • Do you think you will try to change your diet now?
  • Reflect on at least 2 others annotations.

References 

Carlson, A., & Frazao, E. (2012). Are healthy foods really more expensive? Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/44678/19980_eib96.pdf. 

Food for the Brain. (2021). Keyways to support healthy vagus nerve function. Retrieved from https://foodforthebrain.org/supporting-vagus-nerve-function-is-this-the-missing-link-to-improving-mental-health/. 

Medical News Today. (2017). Vagus nerve: Function, stimulation, and further research. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318128#Vagus-nerve-stimulation. 

Velasquez-Manoff, M. (2013). An Epidemic Of Absence: A New Way Of Understanding Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases. New York, NY, Scribner.