Here’s a list of seven foods that have been proven to help boost your mood. The next time you need a little pick-me-up, try eating one of the foods listed below.
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Dark Chocolate: Packed with phenylalanine, dark chocolate enhances your body’s production of serotonin and dopamine. Both of these are feel-good chemicals that your body produces naturally. In addition, dark chocolate contains a small amount of caffeine to give you a little boost. Dark chocolate also helps increase the blood flow to the brain and heart, which can improve cognitive function
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Chili Peppers: Spice up your meal and sex drive with chili peppers. The capsicum in chili peppers triggers natural pain killers and endorphins in the brain to help elevate your mood, relieve stress and fight depresssion. Eating chili peppers also helps maintain strong cell walls in your circulatory system to support low blood pressure.
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Avocados: Sometimes referred to as the happy fruit, avocados contain healthy fats that help boost the mood and improve our overall sense of well being. They are rich in Oleic acid, a monosaturated omega-9 fatty acid, which increases serotonin, the brain’s happy chemical. Avocados contain many other nutrients including vitamin E, B6 and potassium. Studies have shown that the fat in avocados may even help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol.
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Oysters: Known as being a natural aphrodisiac, oysters also come in handy when trying to stimulate a good mood. They are packed with zinc, a mineral that has been proven to help calm the body and balance the mood. Oysters are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and magnesium, which can help lower your blood pressure.
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Bananas: Maybe there’s a reason why monkeys always seem to be having a good time. Bananas contain tryptophan and other brain-healthy nutrients that help produce serotonin. They are rich in mood-elevating magnesium, energy-producing potassium and vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is necessary for the synthesis of both dopamine and serotonin.
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Salmon: This fish is packed with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Both of these nutrients have been shown to enhance serotonin levels in the brain and boost your mood. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for many different functions in the body, and salmon is one of the highest natural food sources of this vitamin. Salmon is also a good source for one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, astaxanthin.
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Walnuts: Get ready to go nuts! Containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), walnuts have been shown to help alleviate depression. ALA is an omega-3 fatty acid that together with magnesium, also found in walnuts, helps boot serotonin levels. Magnesium is also believed to help regulate blood sugar levels, which also helps stabilize mood. Eating walnuts may also help lower cholesterol. Walnuts are also packed with more antioxidants than other nuts including cashews, pecans, hazelnuts, pecans and pistachios.
