When you’re in those low moods it is very obvious to reach to the sugary treats or the ice-cream kept in the fridge for a comforting sugar rush feeling. however, the sugary high calorie treat does more harm than good to your health.
Thus you may wonder does any heathy food contribute to elevating or aiding those mood swings. Recently, research on the relationship between diet and mental health has been expanding. Yet it’s important to note that mood can be affected by several factors, such as stress, climate, poor sleep, genetics, mood disorders, and nutritional deficiencies.
Nonetheless, certain foods are known to secrete those happy hormones in your brain, and raise your spirits.
Here is the list of 5 types of super food products to get your mood levels up -
#1 DARK CHOCOLATE:
Our body releases endorphins under certain instances. These are natural substances that relieve pain, and cause a happy mood. The production of endorphins may be induced by pain or stress, but this also refers to a fit of laughter, an intense exercise, a massage, or... eating chocolate.The release of endorphins in our brain is induced by dark chocolate. But that's not the only explanation why it makes you happy.
For example, our body perceives the fact that chocolate melts in your mouth as very good. This sensation is passed on to our brain and causes endorphins to be released.
In addition to that, eating chocolate often has an emotional aspect. Chocolates are sometimes received as a reward or just as a treat. These fun moments are unconsciously evoked when you’re eating chocolate. Moreover, A range of compounds associated with mood-lifting chemicals in the brain are found in chocolate. Phenylethylamine, a natural antidepressant and one of the chemicals that your brain creates when you fall in love, is frequently mentioned.
#2VITAMIN C RICH FOOD:
A perfect way to improve the immune system with antioxidants is to use vitamin C.
The correlation between vitamin C and mood can seem surprising, but people who are deficient in vitamin C sometimes feel exhausted or depressed. Some studies have shown that people who have lower than average levels of vitamin C have found that after they obtained vitamin C, their mood improved. But even for people who are not known to have low levels of vitamin C, taking a supplement of vitamin C might help the mood. Participants indicated in some studies that vitamin C reduced their levels of anxiety.
There's a strong relation between your immune system and your brain. As a cause of depression, people who are not physically well frequently cite their illness. Plus, Vitamin C binds to free radicals, allowing them to be removed more readily by the body.
In broccoli, oranges, cabbage, strawberries, mangos, and kiwis, vitamin C is contained.
#3 GRAPES:
It could boost your mental well-being to eat only a handful of grapes every once in a while. Some compounds in grapes that have therapeutic properties and can help combat depression have been identified in a recent study. The findings of the study were published in the online journal Nature Communications and it was said that by targeting some newly discovered pathways that lead to mental illness, some compounds present in grapes may help prevent depression.
#4 COFFEE:
Coffee is the most popular beverage in the world, and it may make the world a little happier, too.
Coffee caffeine prevents the attachment of a naturally occurring compound called adenosine to brain receptors that promote fatigue, thereby increasing alertness and focus.
In addition, it increases the release of neurotransmitters that improve mood, such as dopamine and norepinephrine.
A 72-person study found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee substantially improved mood compared to a placebo drink, implying that coffee contains other compounds that affect mood.
This boost in attitude was attributed by researchers to different phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acid.
#5 FERMENTED FOODS:
Intestinal health and mood can be improved by fermented foods, including kimchi, yoghurt, kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut.
The process of fermentation enables live bacteria to grow in foods that can then turn sugars into alcohol and acids.
Probiotics are produced during this process. These live microorganisms promote the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria and can increase serotonin levels.It is important to remember that, due to cooking and filtering, not all fermented foods are important sources of probiotics, such as beer, some breads, and wine.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has an effect on many aspects of human behavior, including mood, reaction to stress, appetite, and sexual drive. Your gut microbiota, or the group of healthy bacteria in your gut, releases up to 90% of your body's serotonin.
The bottom line is, you can crave calorie-rich, high-sugar foods such as dairy products or cookies when feeling blue to try to raise your spirits. While this might give you a sugar rush, in the long run, it is unlikely to benefit you and could even have harmful effects. Instead you should strive for healthier foods that have been shown to improve not only your mood, but your overall health as well. To kick-start your optimistic routine, try any of the above foods.
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