Compared to manual laborers, mental workers primarily engage in brain activity, with relatively less physical movement throughout the body. Therefore, mental workers have higher dietary quality requirements. In addition to meeting caloric needs, their diet should also provide sufficient nutrients beneficial to the brain, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and vitamins. Carbohydrates: The Brain's Energy Source
The brain mainly relies on blood sugar (glucose in the blood) for energy. When blood sugar concentration drops, the brain's oxygen consumption also decreases, leading to mild symptoms like dizziness and fatigue, or in severe cases, coma. Therefore, maintaining a certain blood sugar concentration is crucial for ensuring the complex functions of the human brain. At the same time, because carbohydrates can stimulate the brain to produce serotonin, they help people feel happier and more relaxed.