10 Foods That Can Adjust Your Mood

Jun 26, 2018

While it is recorded that 40 million adults in America suffer from depression, only 36.9 percent of them receive treatment for their condition. Some of us may just have a simple case of the blues, but either way, no one likes to feel down in the dumps!

Here are 10 mood-altering foods that will help you beat depression for good: 

While many choose processed meats for their daily protein intake, the negative affect their additives have on the body go largely unrealized. The nitrates, dyes, and preservatives often found in them contribute to mood swings. That’s why salmon is a fantastic alternative! Being high in omega-3 and vitamin D, this fish can greatly improve serotonin levels in the body, leading to a happier you. 

If you’re one who likes to munch on overly salty nut mixes as an afternoon snack (of which many brands contain MSG), try switching it out to something sweet for a change! Cherries are rich in Melatonin, which aids in getting more balanced sleep. They also act as a natural painkiller and can have a relaxing effect on the body. 

Black pepper can be found right next to the salt in most households, but did you know its health benefits far out-way those of salt? While too much salt can result in high blood-pressure, pepper can actually increase the cognitive function of the brain, in turn fighting depression. This is due to the compound piperine, which is found in pepper. 

Cooking turkey and slicing it up for your sandwich is a much better alternative to processed deli meat. As mentioned before, the additives found in these meats result in all kinds of unfavorable mood swings. Adding whole, unprocessed meat to your diet like turkey can greatly reduce unwanted side effects like headaches caused by unnatural add-ins, and overall lift your mood! 

As most people neglect their water intake, the dehydration caused increases anxiety and depression levels in the body. Staying hydrated is vital to our well-being. According to a study conducted by US and French scientists in 2015, the more water we drink, the less likely we will experience feelings of tension and depression in our bodies. 

Spinach is rich in omega-3, which is a very effective mood-enhancer as it helps increase serotonin levels in the body. Eating foods like spinach is a much better alternative to foods rich in omega-6, such as soy yogurt. Those suffering from a poor mood should avoid these foods because omega-6 blocks the body’s intake of omega-3, which is exactly the omega fatty acid our body needs! 

Honey is a much more healthy alternative to refined sugar. The high and then crash we get from consuming large amounts of refined sugar does a lot of damage to our mood. Honey, on the other hand, contains quercetin and kaempferol, which both contain anti-inflammatory properties. This helps the brain’s inflammation to decrease, aiding in decreased levels of stress and anxiety. Another healthy alternative would be maple syrup, due to its antioxidant properties. 

Theanine, a compound found in green tea, helps to fight anxiety and stress. While many choose sugary soft drinks or coffee loaded with sweet syrups as their daily beverage, again many suffer from the crash that comes from such a large intake of refined sugar. Switching out your daily soft drink with green tea with help bring the opposite effect and create a greater sense of balance and well-being in your body. 

Popcorn is a food rich in carbohydrates, which also help increase serotonin levels. Choosing popcorn as an alternative to greasy potato chips, which are high in omega-6 fatty acids, will aid in a more pleasant mood! So next time you are in the chip aisle, turn that cart around and go for the popcorn instead.

Craving some chocolate? Good news! You don’t have to give up chocolate to improve your mood! If you are a milk chocolate lover, simply switch it out for dark chocolate instead! Anandamide, which can be found in dark chocolate, is a compound that has a relaxing and calming effect on the body. It is no surprise our bodies crave it when we are sad. The best result is brought on by dark chocolate containing at least 72 percent cocoa and 5 grams or less of sugar. In general, eating dark chocolate has also been proven by research to give people a greater desire to help others. 

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!

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