Have you ever heard the saying “you are what you eat”?! Turns out that's not so far from the truth. What we eat has a huge impact on our energy, digestion, health outcomes and even our mood.
Check out this list of foods that can help modulate your mood.
Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, and albacore tuna are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats play an important role in brain development and neurotransmitter signaling. Some research indicates that increasing omega-3 intake may lower your risk of depression.
Dark Chocolate contains flavonoids which can help reduce inflammation and boost brain blood flow, which may support mood regulation.
Coffee increases the mood-boosting neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. Coffee also contains chlorogenic acid, which is an antioxidant that may stabilize your blood sugar levels as well as your mood.
Berries contain anthocyanins that have been shown to lower depression scores. In general, fruit is filled with antioxidants, which play a key role in combating inflammation and stress in the body.
Nuts, such as almonds, cashews, peanuts and walnuts. as well as seeds like pumpkin, sesame and sunflower are all high in tryptophan, an amino acid that produces mood-boosting serotonin. Other nuts like brazil nuts, almonds and pine nuts are high in zinc and selenium, important minerals for brain function and thus mood.
Whole grains contain fiber that stabilizes blood sugar levels, which also affect your mood. When your blood sugar gets too low, that “hangry” can intensify.
It’s important to note that many other factors like genetics, stress, sleep and your environment also impact mental health. So while adding these foods in your diet may help, it’s only one piece of the puzzle.