What determines our mood?
The mood directly depends on the substances produced by the body, which have a special effect on the brain and central nervous system. Improving mood, the so-called neurotransmitters – serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, endorphin and tryptophan. Thanks to them, we feel easy and confident, experience a surge of vitality and positive emotions, perceive the world in bright colors. If the amount of neurotransmitters in the body decreases, the mood decreases accordingly. This is most often due to stress, lack of sleep and rest, malnutrition or imbalance. Active recreation and sports, as well as some food products, help to improve mood.
Mood Improving Products:
1. Meat
Certain types of meat (chicken, beef, pork) contain the amino acid tyrosine, which increases the level of dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve mood, concentration and memory. In addition, meat is a source of vitamin B12, which helps to cope with insomnia and depression. Iron, which is part of meat, maintains the saturation of the cells of the body with oxygen and thus energizes it.
Meat is a natural energy drink that will help to cope with both depression and insomnia
2. A fish
Fatty fish (tuna, trout, herring, sardines, mackerel, salmon, cod, salmon) are rich in omega-3 fatty acids necessary to maintain a good mood in the body. Vitamin B6 contained in fish performs the same function, which also strengthens the immune system.
Fish is good for boosting mood and immunity
3. Sea cabbage
This seaweed contains a large amount of B vitamins, which regulate the adrenal glands and, accordingly, the hormone adrenaline, a deficiency of which can cause chronic fatigue and mood deterioration.
Eat seaweed more often to add adrenaline to your life.
4. Bananas
Some of the most famous antidepressant products. In addition to serotonin, they contain vitamin B6, which, as already mentioned, is necessary to raise mood. Moreover, bananas contain the alkaloid harman, which can even cause feelings of euphoria. These fruits are also useful for chronic fatigue and blues.
Bananas are among the most famous antidepressant foods.
5. Hot pepper
It turns out that the more pepper you eat, the calmer you feel. And all thanks to the natural ingredient capsaicin, which makes dishes spicy, stimulates nerve endings in the mouth and causes a burning sensation. In response to these influences, the brain lovingly releases endorphins that relieve pain and improve mood.
The more hot peppers you eat, the calmer you will feel.
6. The nuts
Nuts, like oily fish, contain omega-3 fatty acids that can help keep brain cells working properly and help relieve symptoms of depression. They also contain tryptophan, vitamin B6 and the mineral selenium, which can help improve mood.
Nuts help relieve symptoms of depression
7. Chocolate
First of all, women and children know about the remarkable abilities to improve the mood of this product. Cocoa beans, from which chocolate is obtained, contain a substance phenylethylamine, thanks to which the body produces the well-known hormones of happiness – endorphins. But that’s not all: Cocoa beans are rich in stress-relieving magnesium. Please note that only dark chocolate has the listed beneficial qualities, milk chocolate is less useful.
Chocolate is rich in endorphins and high in stress-reducing magnesium
8. Oatmeal and buckwheat porridge
Oatmeal and buckwheat contain tryptophan, which, when processed in the body, contributes to the formation of one of the hormones of happiness – serotonin.
A very important property of these cereals is the normalization of blood sugar levels. The leveling of its indicators is possible thanks to the slow carbohydrates contained in buckwheat and oatmeal. Why is it important? Sugar affects mood because it affects the level of insulin in the blood, which delivers tryptophan to the brain, where it is already processed into serotonin.
Tryptophan, found in buckwheat and oatmeal, contributes to the production of serotonin, the so-called hormone of happiness.
9. Eggs
Eggs contain important fatty acids, vitamins A, E, D, tryptophan, carotenes and B vitamins, which we have already discussed. So even simple scrambled eggs can improve your mood. However, in everything you need to know when to stop: the yolk contains a large amount of cholesterol.
Simple scrambled eggs – the key to cheerfulness and good mood
10. Cheese
All types of cheeses can cheer you up thanks to the anti-stress amino acids they contain – tyramine, tricamine and phenylethylamine. Cheese also contains a huge amount of protein (in various varieties it reaches 22%), which improves metabolism and helps to restore strength.
A piece of any cheese will cheer you up and rejuvenate
Enemies of good mood:
Alcohol and energy drinks are energizing for a short time, in fact, only making the adrenal glands work harder and increasing blood sugar levels.
Excessive consumption of coffee and tea usually leads to insomnia and mood swings.
Various types of sweets, including sugary drinks, lead to a sharp increase in blood sugar, which ultimately contributes to chronic fatigue syndrome.
Many diets (especially express diets), as a rule, are unbalanced, which leads to a breakdown and bad mood.
Smoking leads to a deficiency of vitamins, minerals and amino acids necessary for the body, which again immediately affects the mood.