Mood has a direct connection with mental health. And health has its nutritional background. It is proven that intake of nutrient-rich foods is linked to improved mental health. Foods rich in fiber, protein, antioxidants, prebiotics, and essential fatty acids seem to have the most profound impact on mood. Here are some of the categories of foods that can help to boost your mood.
Whole Grain and High-Fiber Foods
Whole grains and other high-fiber foods can boost your mood because of fiber satiating and blood-sugar-stabilizing effect. Fiber also helps to slow the digestion of carbohydrates, which helps you get the most out of your meals and snacks and avoid a blood sugar spike followed by a crash.
According to the 2019 literature review, high-fiber foods contain essential nutrients, such as B vitamins, that benefit healthy people who are stressed. The below-given whole-grain and high-fiber foods can support your emotional health: Rolled oats, Quinoa, Whole-grain bread, Brown rice, Amaranth, Barley, Beans and legumes, Starchy vegetables (e.g., sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, peas), and Starchy fruits (e.g., apples, bananas, cantaloupe).
Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Antioxidants have many important functions in the body, but most notably they protect your cells from free radicals, a type of unstable, damaging molecule that’s linked to cancer and other diseases. Low antioxidant intake has been linked to depression, and scientists believe antioxidants play an important role in neural protection and mood stabilization. Here are some of the antioxidant-rich foods that can boost your mood. Berries (e.g., raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, goji berries, mulberries), Dark leafy greens (e.g., spinach, arugula, kale, dandelion greens, turnip greens, collard greens, bok choy), other vegetables (e.g., beets, asparagus, radishes, turnips, squash, artichokes, peppers), Coffee, Dark chocolate, and Spices.
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods contain ample amounts of vital probiotics, which support the health of your microbiome. Research suggests that gut health significantly impacts overall health, including your mood. In fact, adding more probiotics to your diet may directly increase levels of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter that regulates mood. Interestingly, most of your body’s serotonin is produced in the gut. The fermented foods include Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Yogurt, Kefir, Kombucha, Tempeh, Miso, Natto.
Other fermented foods and beverages, including bread and beer but, don’t contain live probiotics due to filtering and cooking processes.
Foods High in Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids, most notably omega-3s and omega-6s, are important fats you must obtain from your diet because your body can’t produce them internally. Omega-3s have been linked to a reduced risk of depression and alleviation of depressive symptoms. Essential fatty acids may also have a positive effect on anxiety. Foods high in essential fatty acids include: Fatty Fish (salmon, sardines, cod, herring, mackerel, rainbow trout, tuna, and perch), Nuts and Seeds (walnuts, flax seeds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and hazelnuts), Certain Oils (flaxseed oil, and canola oil, safflower oil, and olive oil) and some others are avocados, olives, omega-3 enriched whole eggs
Note that the benefits for better mood come from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which is prevalent in fatty fish. Plant-based omega-3s come in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is converted into EPA and DHA.
Take good care of your diet and live livelily.