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5NATURALLY MOOD-BOOSTING FOODS
f i s h
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fish
Eating oily, fatty fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, rainbowtrout) and mussels will give you omega-3s—a keymood-boosting nutrient and one our bodies don’t
produce. Omega-3s alter brain chemicals linked withmood—specifically dopamine and serotonin. (Lowlevels of serotonin are linked with depression,
aggression and suicidal tendencies, while dopamine isa “reward” chemical that the brain releases in response
to pleasurable experiences.
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s a f f r o n
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saffron
In one study, from Iran’s Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital at TehranUniversity of Medical Sciences, over three-quarters of the womenin the study suffering from PMS who had taken the equivalent ofa micropinch of saffron reported that their PMS symptoms (such
as mood swings and depression) declined by at least half,compared with only 8 percent of women in the placebo group. Inearlier studies, saffron had antidepressant effects comparable tothe antidepressants fluoxetine (Prozac) and imipramine (Tofranil).
Researchers believe that the spice works by “the samemechanism as Prozac,” helping to make the feel-goodneurotransmitter serotonin more available to the brain.
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c o c o n u t
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coconut
When you’re stressed, the scent of coconut may bluntyour natural “fight or flight” response, slowing your heartrate. People who breathed in coconut fragrance in a
small pilot study at Columbia University saw their bloodpressure recover more quickly after a challenging task.
The researchers speculate that inhaling a pleasant scentenhances alertness while soothing our response to stress.
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t e a
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tea
Fuzzy brain? Drinking caffeinated black, greenoroolong tea may elicit a more alert state of mind,
says a study in The Journal of Nutrition.
Researchers think theanine—an amino acid presentin these tea varieties—may work synergistically withcaffeine to improve attention and focus. To reapthe benefits, the study’s results suggest drinking 5
to 6 (8-ounce) cups of tea daily.
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v i t a m i nc
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vitamin c
In a study from Canada ’s McGill University , researchers found thatafter an average of 8 .2 days , vitamin C reduced mood disturbancein elderly patients among acute care medical centers by 71% andreduced psychological distress by 51%. Another study found thatthe antioxidant vitamin C can significantly reduce stress and
anxiety among type 2 diabetic patients .
Most assume citrus is the best place to get our vitamin C . Butthere are several foods that are better than citrus for vitamin C ,
such as guavas , yellow bell peppers , black currants , red chilipeppers , kale , gold kiwis , and tomatoes .
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thanks for reading!
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