Anyone who’s been hungry for hours can tell you that food has an effect on your mood. Scientists have been researching this connection for years, and have discovered ways to boost your mental health, or cause a swift decline in mood.
The tryptophan in turkey and chicken can be a positive mood enhancer. Those suffering from depression often have a deficiency of this amino acid.
Caffeine might wake you up in the morning, but should you consume too much you could fall victim to what some call the “caffeine hangover.” Mood swings, anxiety and insomnia result from drinking too much caffeine, especially if you have become addicted to it. Two to three cups of coffee a day is all it takes for this drug to take hold of your system.
People aren’t pulling your leg when they call chocolate a happy food. Endorphins are released when you eat chocolate, and it acts as a natural antidepressant and increases your libido. The sugar in chocolate can calm your state of mind while the accompanying fat levels elevate your mood.
Low fat diets might give you a better looking body, but they’ll kill your mood. A lack of fat in your diet can actually lead to depression. A varied and balanced diet of healthy foods, filled with vitamins and nutrients, can be the biggest benefit to both your mind and body.
It can be easy to balance out your mood by balancing your diet throughout the day. Try eating slowly digested foods like oats and rye bread in the morning. These will help improve your blood sugar levels, preventing early fatigue and mood swings.
Eating carbohydrate-rich foods like popcorn in the afternoon can give your mood a boost after a stressful day at the office. If you’ve got an important meeting in the afternoon, try a protein-rich snack like yogurt to help focus your mind and improve concentration.
One thing many people overlook is the importance of water. When a person becomes dehydrated, they can develop headaches and become cranky. If you’re feeling this way, try drinking a big glass of water and see if your mood improves over the next twenty minutes. Chances are your headache will clear up.
Don’t overlook the changes that your diet might cause in your mood. It might just brighten up your day
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