7 Foods That’ll Give You a Happiness Boost
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Let’s admit it. We spend most of our lives . We constantly try new things to improve our mental well-being like , and . But did you know eating certain foods can lift your spirits? Studies linking have emerged in the past decade, and certain foods are associated with in our brains. , also known as the “happy hormone,” is a chemical that plays an important role in regulating our mood. Low serotonin levels can cause mood instability. For more mental health resources, try these and check out our list of . Also read: 7 foods that make you happy, according to scienceHere are our favorite foods that make you happy.1. Dark chocolateYou know the typical scene in movies where a girl sits on her couch in sweats, eating a tub of chocolate ice cream. Turns out Hollywood was on to something. A systematic review found that can positively affect one’s mood. There are found in chocolate that are associated with the feeling of happiness: tryptophan, theobromine and phenylethylalanine. is an amino acid the brain uses to produce serotonin. is a weak stimulant that can improve your mood. Meanwhile, is another amino acid used by the body to produce , which acts as an antidepressant.2. BananasIf there were ever such a thing as “good mood food,” bananas are probably it. But maybe not in the way you think they are. Although , it is unable to cross the (think of the BBB as a wall that filters what can and cannot enter our bloodstream and make its way to our brains). But bananas can play a crucial role in regulating your mood in a more indirect way. Your body needs , and bananas are especially rich in this nutrient. A single contains up to 0.4 mg of vitamin B6, which accounts for roughly 25% of the daily recommended intake. Read more: 3. CoconutIf you’ve got the winter blues and https://www.cruisewhat.com/is-optimum-nutrition-mass-gainer-good/ are dreaming of warmer days, coconut may transport your taste buds and mood to a tropical state of mind. Coconut is loaded with , which can help boost your energy. Another reason coconut is considered mood food is that a found that MCTs from coconut milk may reduce anxiety. More research is needed to fully understand the link between anxiety and coconut in humans.4. CoffeeThis one is for the in the world. Now you can justify your coffee intake (in moderation, of course) since coffee is making the world a happier place, one sip at a time. A concluded that coffee consumption is significantly associated with decreased risk of depression. Another concluded that coffee — both caffeinated and decaffeinated — significantly improved the subjects’ mood compared to those who ingested a placebo drink.
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5. AvocadoOther generations may say that avocado toast is to blame for millennials not owning houses, but one thing is for sure — avocados are making us happier. This smooth and creamy fruit is including choline, which your body uses to regulate your nervous system and mood. A found that the healthy fats in avocados are associated with decreased anxiety in women. Another great reason to consume more avocados is that they are rich in vitamin B, which has been linked to .6. BerriesDid you know that consuming more fruit is also associated with better mental health? A found that fruit and vegetable intake was highly associated with improved mental health. Berries, in particular, are , also known as flavonoids, which may . Another study where subjects were given showed promising results that linked blueberry intake with slower cognitive decline that’s associated with aging. 7. Fermented foodsFoods that go through a fermentation process like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, kombucha and yogurt help you maintain a healthy gut and may also help improve your mood. The fermentation process creates , which in turn, support healthy bacteria in your gut. Now, what does your gut have anything to do with your mood? A lot. Up to produced by your body is created from gut cells. So eating fermented foods promotes better serotonin production. Read more: Too long, didn’t read?When you’re not feeling your best self, your first instinct may be to reach for the pack of cookies or sugary foods. While these may give you some satisfaction, they’re unlikely to help your mental health in the long run. Instead, opt for nutrient-rich foods like the ones on this list to give you a happiness boost.More mental health advice
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
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