Is it True that Different Foods Can Increase Happiness?

From our buffets to bowl food, we like to think everything we offer at PenniBlack will raise a smile from even the most reluctant of diners. It is widely understood that your mood can trigger food cravings, but did you know that the food you eat can affect your mood?

We don’t want to get too scientific, but your gut and brain are connected, via the vagus nerve. This means that your tummy can transmit whatever it fancies to the brain via this route, so the phrase you are what you eat certainly rings true.

Check out our list below to investigate the foods which boost spirits, and foods which can dampen your mood.

Mood Enhancing Foods

Dark Chocolate

Some have referred to dark chocolate as the new anti-anxiety drug, due to the chemical produced in the brain when it is eaten.

Devouring a tasty bar of dark chocolate releases a neurotransmitter called anandamide, which temporarily blocks feels of pain and depression. To heighten this even more, chocolate consumption also spurs on the creation of other chemicals which prolong the positive effects of anandamide.

So, if you want a natural boost, we recommend 30 to 60 grams of dark chocolate per day!

Cheese

Cheeky slab of Gouda? High-quality protein sources are fantastic snack to get into a positive frame of mind.

Foods that are high in protein, such as cheese or a handful of almonds help keep blood sugar levels steady which, in turn, increases energy and improves mood.

Bananas

Ripe bananas, in particular, contain the chemical dopamine. This neurotransmitter not only helps boost your mood, but they are also rich vitamin B6, which helps to calm the nervous system.

Magnesium is also found in bananas and linked to positive mood changes.

Turmeric

Turmeric is famed for its many medicinal affects, from curbing joint pain, to reducing cholesterol.

Turmeric’s power comes from the pigment that gives it its famous deep yellow-orange colour, curcumin. The pigment has neuroprotective properties which has been said to help with depression and enhance mood.

Coffee

If you don’t want to feel the effects of caffeine, you can always opt for decaffeinated, but a cup of coffee per day can improve your happiness.

Drinking coffee results in the release of BDNF, a neurotrophic growth factor, which acts as a catalyst for stem cells to convert into new neurons. Essentially, this means that coffee improves your brains health.

Interestingly, those who suffer with low BDNF levels can be more prone to depression and that increased neurogenesis can act as an antidepressant.

Blueberries

Actually, any purple berries are great for your mind, just make sure they aren’t poisonous!

Blueberries and blackberries are at the top of our list as they contain anthocyanins, the pigment that give them their unique colour.

Anthocyanins are antioxidant, which help produce dopamine – the same chemical found in bananas. Not only can it improve mood, but also helps with memory and coordination.

Salmon

Salmon is a fantastic option, but any animal-based omega-3 fats are fantastic for body and mind. If the thought of mackerel or herring turns your stomach, omega-3 can also be found in walnuts, chia seeds, and soybeans.

Results from studies suggest that daily consumption of omega-3 can help prevent depression and work just as well as antidepressants.

Mood Dampening Foods

Gluten

A yummy pasta dish, or toast slathered in salty butter can be such a treat, but did you know that gluten can have a detrimental impact on mood?

Gluten is found in grains such as barley, wheat, and rye. Research found that consuming wheat stops the production of serotonin, which contributes to wellbeing and happiness, and you brain is aware of what is in your gut due to the vagus nerve.

Processed Foods

We all know that processed foods are no good for the body; full of MSG, trans fats, artificial colourants, and artificial sweeteners.

These synthetic ingredients are just a few of many contained in processed foods which are linked to irritability and poor mood.

Sugar

The highs and lows associated with consuming sugary foods are due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. There are three recognised ways in which sugar can have a negative effect on your body and mind:

Sugar prevents the growth and sustained health of brain neurons as it stops BDNF from working.
Sugar (and grains) can be a cause of insulin and leptin resistance which inevitably affects your mental health.
Your immune system can become inflamed due to chemical reactions triggered by sugar consumption, and this is medically linked to a greater risk of depression.

A pile of granulated sugar pouring from above.