Foods that can Positively Affect Mood
No one is immune to the occasional bad mood. Whether it’s due to the weather, waking up on the wrong side of the bed, or COVID blues, many factors affect a person’s mood. Interestingly, certain foods have been found to positively affect mood, so incorporating them into your diet may help you stay positive, even on those days when you get up on the wrong side of the bed.
- Fatty fish: A study by British researchers found that a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acid helped patients with depression significantly reduce their feelings of sadness and pessimism. Salmon, albacore tuna, sardines, trout, and anchovies are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Nuts and seeds: The minerals selenium, copper, magnesium, manganese, and zinc have been linked to mental health. Nuts, including almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and peanuts, are particularly good sources of these minerals.
- Dark, leafy greens: Dark, leafy greens, like kale, spinach and collards, are rich in iron and magnesium, which can increase serotonin levels, help reduce feelings of anxiety, and help the body fight inflammation, which can have a positive effect on mood. A 2015 study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found that brain inflammation contributed to certain behaviors, including low mood, that appear during major depressive episodes.
- Dark chocolate: A 2009 study published in the Journal of Proteome Research found that dark chocolate helped reduce levels of the hormone cortisol, which has been linked to stress. When consumed in moderation, dark chocolate made of at least 70 percent cocoa can help people relax.
Various foods can have a beneficial effect on mood, potentially helping people stay positive, especially in challenging times.
