From working out to cuddling your pet, different activities have been proven to improve your mood. Food can also help improve your mood and get you out of seasonal depression. Some of these foods have components that stimulate feel-good hormones, while others combat hormones that make you feel moody. Here are five mood-enhancing foods.
Kale, Spinach, and Swiss Chard
Of course, you’ve heard your mom sing to you throughout your childhood that greens are good for the body. Well, it’s not just about convincing you to eat them; these vegetables do more than make you look fresh.
Dark leafy greens, especially kale and spinach, positively affect the mood. They are rich in B Vitamins, which play a major part in producing chemicals that affect mood. Consuming dark leafy greens plays a major role in improving mood.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish like tuna and salmon have been proven to be beneficial to the heart and mind. These fatty fish have been linked with better mood and reduction of depression due to their structural role in the brain.
Since fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, they can reduce depression levels. So, if you used to feel guilty about eating fatty fish like salmon, you have an excuse to eat them now!
Brazil Nuts
You’ll agree with us that Brazil nuts belong to the not-so-popular category of nuts. This makes these nuts the ultimate ‘gold in the mire’ as they are packed with a wide range of nutrients that the body needs.
These are potent sources of selenium, which aids in the healthy production of thyroid hormones. Since healthy thyroid function is closely related to mood function, it’s not surprising that brazil nuts are effective in improving mood.
Berries
We’re always so pleased when we learn that a food we love so much is actually very good for our bodies. Well, that’s how we feel about the fact that berries are not only good for boosting immunity but also enhance our mood.
Berries have a chemical that reduces the chances of depression. Called quercetin, this phytochemical reduces the level of a depression-causing enzyme in the body. It won’t be wrong to call berries natural antidepressants.
Dark Chocolate
Speaking of delicacies that are good for mood, dark chocolate is another exciting one. However, we’re talking about the darkest chocolates on the rack- those with higher cocoa mass and lower sugar content.
Dark chocolate contains potent antioxidants, which can help in improving positive feelings. Also, people who consume dark chocolate have been found to have significantly lower chances of depressive symptoms. However, we recommend buying dark chocolate with a cocoa mass of 80 percent and above.