Taking on your day-to-day life is easier when your spirits are high, but when your body is lacking in vital nutrients, it can be easy to fall into a low mood. While there is still much research to be done on how food directly impacts our mood, there are many clues. There have been studies that show how certain diets can influence brain structure, chemistry, and physiology, which can ultimately influence behavior. So what foods are going to help influence your mood positively?
Maintaining a positive mood becomes easier when your spirits are high, but if your body lacks essential nutrients, it can be easy to feel down.
Although more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between food and mood, there are several clues indicating that certain diets can impact brain structure, chemistry, and physiology, consequently affecting behavior.
So which foods can positively influence your mood?
5 Foods That Can Positively Influence Your Mood
1. Salmon
Salmon is a power player when it comes to food that can help to boost your mood. Salmon is jam-packed with omega-3 fatty acids which are a specific group of essential fats that you can only get through diet, as your body doesn’t have the ability to produce them on its own.
When you have a sufficient level of omega-3 in your diet, the futility of your brain’s cell membrane is optimized, which contributes to healthy brain development and neuron signaling. A clinical trial showed that in some cases, not only did omega-3 help with the brain’s physical health, but it also contributed to lower levels of depression and anxiety.
Salmon is a powerhouse when it comes to food that can help improve your mood. This delicious fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fats known for their numerous health benefits.
Consuming enough omega-3 in your diet can optimize the functionality of your brain’s cell membrane, leading to healthy brain development and improved neuron signaling. Salmon is a power player when it comes to food that can help to boost your mood.
Salmon is jam-packed with omega-3 fatty acids which are a specific group of essential fats. When you have a sufficient level of omega-3 in your diet, the futility of your brain’s cell membrane is optimized, which contributes to healthy brain development and neuron signaling.
2. Bananas
Bananas are rich in vitamin B6 which helps our brains to synthesize the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are responsible for things such as a feeling of an elevated mood.
In addition to being great for helping our bodies release our feel-good chemicals, bananas are an excellent source of prebiotics, the type of fiber that helps to curate healthy bacteria in your gut. Having a healthy, robust gut microbiome has also been associated with lower rates of depression and other mood disorders.
3. Dark Chocolate
Did you know that science has verified that chocolate does in fact make you happier?
Nutrition researchers at the Nestle Research Center in Switzerland found through a clinical trial that those who had a little bit of dark chocolate every day for two weeks had receded cortisol levels, a hormone directly linked to stress.
The Swiss research concluded that the antioxidants that are found in dark chocolate could be the key to keeping cortisol levels in check.
4. Fermented Food
With the rise in conversation about gut health these days, there has been emerging research in recent years that now suggests that a crucial component in a healthy, balanced diet is maintaining a healthy microbiota.
A healthy gut has been linked to lower instances of mood disorders through this research as well, so make sure to stock up on fermented food such as kimchi, kombucha, tempeh, sauerkraut, and plain greek yogurt. These foods are packed with probiotics which contribute to a healthy microbiome, which will ultimately help to cultivate an elevated mood.
5. Beans & Lentils
According to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging in 2013, having a diet that consists of plenty of beans, peas, and lentils is a surefire way to ensure a healthy gut and a sense of elevated mood.
Beans and lentils are foods that are high in fiber which provide your gut essential prebiotics which contributes to high mood and overall physical wellness.
The USDA has reported that depending on your age and gender, it is recommended to get at least 1-2 cups of beans or lentils a week, so for your next meal, consider a nice warm cup of lentil soup or a scoop of hummus with raw veggies.
Conclusion
Remember that the food you eat can be your medicine! We can utilize the power of the food we consciously choose to help improve our moods. Whatever your typical diet looks like, you can incorporate these foods into your everyday life which will help you feel happier and healthier in the long run.
Love Yourself Enough To Be Healthy,
