Rainy and cold weather, sub-zero temperatures, no sun in sight: the dark season can really get on your nerves. The good news: There are foods that can help against winter blues and put you in a good mood. But if you only think of chocolate and other sweet soul comforters, you are wrong. Here is a list of foods that improve your mood.
6 Foods That Improve Your Mood
Bananas
In addition to tryptophan, the yellow tropical fruit also contains vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, C and is therefore a really healthy mood enhancer. It is ripe when the skin is covered with black dots and only then does it taste really sweet. Due to the high amount of magnesium, it also has an antispasmodic effect.
Avocados
The green trend is a true nutrient bomb. It is rich in healthy simple fatty acids, which our body uses for the production of hormones, and can therefore bring the entire hormone system into balance if consumed regularly. In the supermarket, they are usually offered as hard as a rock, but they continue to ripen, just like bananas. As soon as the skin gives way when pressure is applied, it is ripe and edible. The avocado also supplies the important building material tryptophan to ensure a good mood.
Dark Chocolate
The black gold is considered a classic among happiness makers. But what is the truth behind the claim that chocolate makes you happy? Tryptophan is also found in chocolate. However, only in a very small concentration, which is why it is assumed that chocolate makes you happy differently. It’s more about psychology. Because most of us have learned from childhood to combine the pleasure of chocolate with positive feelings, which is why a piece puts us in a better mood.
Spinach
Green leafy vegetables such as spinach or chard are rich in valuable magnesium. A study with mice found that a low-magnesium diet can increase anxious behavior. In a post for the Harvard Health Blog, psychiatrist and chef Uma Naidoo concluded that eating magnesium-rich foods can reduce anxiety and improve mood. Other magnesium-rich foods include legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
Turmeric
Turmeric is considered a real superfood among spices. It not only brings flavor but also color to the food. And turmeric is also said to help treat anxiety and depression, as several studies have investigated. It is believed that the curcumin it contains has a positive effect on the availability of serotonin in the brain and can therefore affect mood.
Linseed
This native superfood is packed to the brim with essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, which our bodies cannot produce on their own. In addition, they have a digestive effect because they swell in the intestine. When crushed, the ingredients can be better absorbed by our body. Linseed oil is a real miracle weapon against depression. In healthy people, it also elevates mood and has the ability to increase mental performance.
