When you are not in good mood, it is most likely that the level of Serotonin in your brain is low. Serotonin is the brain chemical (neurotransmitter) known to be the “Happiness Hormone”, although it is not a hormone.
Serotonin is synthesized from tryptophan, an essential amino acid, in the brain. So, high level of tryptophan will increase the level of serotonin in the brain. There are also other nutrients that help increase serotonin level in the brain and enhance your mood.
What are the foods that give you good mood?
1) Protein
As tryptophan is an amino acid, the basic building block of protein, protein food such as most meats, seafood, eggs and legumes are rich in tryptophan.
However, eating a high protein diet alone actually lowers the serotonin level in the brain. This is because protein digestion gives many different amino acids, which compete to enter the brain. So, only a small amount of tryptophan goes through the brain to synthesize serotonin.
Instead, you should combine protein with a small amount of carbohydrate, which helps to clear all the amino acids from the blood except tryptophan. Leaving only tryptophan to enter the brain to form serotonin.
2) Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 helps to convert tryptophan into serotonin. Foods that are rich in vitamin B6 are: buckwheat, oatmeal, wheat gem, avocado, soya beans, garbanzo beans, and walnut.
3) Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center reported on 4 March 2006 a study of 106 health volunteers that Omega 3 Fatty Acid level can influence the mood. Those volunteers with low-level of Omega 3 Fatty Acid in the blood are more likely to report mild to moderate symptoms of depression.
Food with high Omega-3 Fatty Acids is deep-sea fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, flax seed and flax seed oil and walnut oil. See more benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acid
4) Minerals
Magnesium and Selenium are key minerals that help relax and improve mood. Rich source of these minerals are banana, Brazil nuts, shiitake mushroom
Feeling down? Eat your way out of it to achieve good mood and feel great always!
Have you experienced feeling good when you eat these foods? Tell me about it.
If you like this, I have many more. So, go ahead to the right hand side of the page and sign up for more information coming your way!
Follow Me!