Get happier by eating?
That sounds good.
In fact, there are some foods that can act like mood enhancers through their ingredients.
At the moment in particular, the general
mood is rather depressed
for many people
: a second partial lockdown due to the coronavirus *, the request to avoid contacts and stay at home more - and then also the dreary autumn weather.
It is not always easy to stay positive and in a good mood.
In addition to getting plenty of exercise and being able to keep in touch with loved ones online, you can also use certain
foods
to help
lighten
your
mood
.
Here's what they are and why they can lift your spirits.
Eating happily through soul food?
Chocolate and fruits help build serotonin
On the one hand, you can differentiate between “
soul food
” - food for the soul that doesn't necessarily have to be healthy - and really healthy foods.
Soul food can include a pizza, a pasta casserole or a delicious stew.
Treat yourself to your favorite food if it is good for you.
And don't be afraid of carbohydrates: The Association for Independent Health Advice points out that a diet that is low in protein and high in carbohydrates can make you happier and more balanced in the long run.
So you don't have to go without bread, pasta and rice - whole grain products are ideal.
Have you heard of the fact that
chocolate
makes you happy?
From a physiological point of view, there is indeed something to it: Chocolate contains tryptophan, an amino acid that the body
converts
into serotonin, the so-called
happiness hormone
.
But if you eat too much chocolate, you also consume more calories, too much sugar and too much fat.
That probably won't make you happier in the long run.
If you're looking for a healthier alternative, plums, pineapples, and bananas are also high in
tryptophan
.
Also read:
Start the day better - 5 tips for a healthy breakfast.
Antioxidants and probiotics make you happy: these foods contain them
Various studies have confirmed
that
diet is
closely related to
a person's
well-being
.
For example, a study by Harvard Medical School found that
foods high in antioxidants
can help relieve symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
These foods contain many antioxidants:
whole grain products
Legumes like peas, beans, and lentils
Apples
Berry
broccoli
artichokes
nuts
Why is
serotonin
important to the body?
If you lack serotonin, you can suffer from listlessness, anxiety and depression.
A
healthy intestinal flora
is also an important factor for well-being - also for the psychological one.
95 percent of the serotonin receptors are located in the intestinal lining.
Researchers are therefore also investigating the extent to which probiotics can have a positive effect on the intestinal flora.
Probiotics
are particularly numerous in these foods:
yogurt
kefir
pickled cucumbers
sauerkraut
Also interesting:
How to Prepare Oatmeal Correctly - Do You Make This Typical Mistake?
These nutrients lift your mood - eat more foods with them
A recent study that appeared in the World Journal of Psychiatry
identified
twelve nutrients
that can help prevent and treat depressive disorders.
These are: iron, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, selenium and vitamin A, B1 (thiamine), B6, B9 (folic acid), B12, vitamin C and zinc.
How can you increase your intake of these nutrients?
By including the following
foods in your menu
:
Wild salmon
seafood
green leafy vegetables, for example lamb's lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, pak choi
paprika
Nuts and seeds
Happy through spicy food?
Happy through pain?
Sounds paradoxical, but:
Spicy food
causes a painful stimulus, through which
endorphins
are released
in the brain
.
These, in turn, are the body's own happiness hormones.
So you should add a little spiciness to your food more often, for example with
chilli, pepper or hot peppers
.
Ginger, cut into small pieces and infused with hot water for tea, can improve your mood with its spiciness.
(mad) * Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
Read more:
Five Home Remedies For Colds - These Foods Will Strengthen Your Immune System.
List of rubric lists: © picture alliance / dpa / Oliver Berg