8 Proven Foods that Boost Mood & Brain Function
When you are feeling down, food can be one of the first lines of defense in sparking up your mood. While you might be tempted to go for sugary or just some favorite sweet foods, it is worth knowing that not every food will help recollect your mood. Several studies have pointed out the relationship between the food we eat and our mood. Well, in this article we will tell you more about the right foods that can boost your overall mood and brain function.
Dark Chocolate
Chocolate boosts a variety of compounds known to improve mood. Before we even talk about some of the compounds derived from chocolate, let’s talk about the sugar it contains. This sugar is an obvious source of energy for your brain and thus makes you lively. Again, chocolate releases an array of compounds that helps you feel good. Such compounds include caffeine, theobromine, and N-acyl ethanolamine. The latter is a substance with chemical similarities with cannabinoids, a chemical known to improve mood. It never stops here either.
Chocolate is rich in health-boosting flavonoids. This substance has several benefits, including increased brain blood supply, reduced inflammation, and generally better brain health. All these factors in tandem aid mood regulation. On the hedonic scale, chocolate boosts a high rating. This implies that the texture, taste, and smell of chocolate is pleasurable. This naturally triggers a good mood. Dark chocolate is favored because it is rich in flavonoids and contains less sugar compared to milk chocolate.
Tip: Ensure you keep your sugar intake in check when you eat.
Coffee
When you talk about coffee, you think about the morning. For most people, coffee is one of the things to take first in the morning. You might have heard that coffee boosts mood and brain function. Yes, this is true! Coffee has two main components, namely caffeine and antioxidants. These components are known to support brain health and are thus suitable for brain function. Caffeine seems to offer more positive effects on your brain. First, it helps inhibit a chemical messenger that makes you feel sleepy and hence makes you alert.
Caffeine also boosts the level of “feel good” neurotransmitters such as dopamine. Another study points out the direct relationship between caffeine and short-term attention or alertness. Additionally, coffee is associated with a significant reduction of risks of neurological diseases.
Organic Nootropic Supplements
Organic Nootropic Supplements are becoming the after-sought option for brain and nerve health. These compounds are meant to boost your focus, concentration, memory retention, mental clarity, and mood, among others. You can take Brain & Nerve Help Supplements that work by altering the neurotransmitters to boost blood flow in your brain. The beauty is that organic nootropic supplements are natural!
Fatty Fish
It is no secret that about 60% of your brain comprises fat, yet half of this fat is omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats play a critical role in your brain health because it aids in the formation of brain and nerve cells. Therefore, omega-3s boost brain development, cell signaling, and memory development. The intake of omega-3 fats is no doubt a great way to boost your brain health. Fatty fish boost a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. This is why fish almost always become the first choice foods for brain development. Fatty fish include salmon, tuna, sardines, trout, and herring.
It has been demonstrated that omega-3s slows age-related mental decline issues such as Alzheimer’s disease. Lack of enough omega-3s can trigger learning impairments or conditions like depressions. Some studies have shown that consuming omega-3s pulls down depression scores. Therefore, eating fatty fish brings significant positive effects to your brain health and mood.
Bananas
Banana is a ubiquitous tropical fruit, and many people don’t understand its amazing health benefits. While bananas are associated with several health benefits, it is hard to list them without talking about mood-boosting characteristics. The reason bananas can change your mood is that it is rich in vitamin B6. This vitamin is associated with the synthesis of feel-good neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. With feel-good neurotransmitters at work, you expect a boosted mood.
Furthermore, bananas inject sugar and fiber into your system. The combination of sugar and fibre into your bloodstream ensures stable blood sugar levels, translating into better mood control. According to some studies, the low sugar level in your blood can trigger irritability and mood swings.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a type of calciferous vegetable with amazing plant compounds. Broccoli is rich in fat-soluble vitamin K, known to boost memory and cognitive status. Again, Broccoli is packed with compounds that offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These compounds can shield the brain against damage.
Fermented Foods
It is well-documented that fermented foods boost mood and brain function. During fermentation, live bacteria convert sugar into alcohol and acids. In the process, probiotics are formed. These are live microorganisms that aid the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. Furthermore, it helps to increase the level of serotonin. This neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in determining your mood, appetite, sexual drive, and stress response. It is worth knowing that about 90% of serotonin is generated from your gut by healthy bacteria.
It is advisable to go for fermented foods like kimchi, kefir, yoghurt, sauerkraut, and kombucha. However, not every fermented food generates probiotics. Some fermented foods like beer, wine, and some bread do not provide probiotics because they are cooked and filtered.
