Posted August 2, 2015 in Debra’s Wellness Tips

Mood Food

Every day we are learning more about how the good bacteria in your gut helps improve your health and now we know it also improves your moods!

Registered dietitian Rebecca Scritchfield recently broke down the basics of this gut-mood research with the digital series #OWNSHOW. She says to think of your gut and digestive system as a “second brain” that communicates with your actual brain; because of this connection, what exists in your gut can actually have a direct influence on your feelings and emotions. To take back control, Scritchfield says to turn to certain foods that contain healthy bacteria.

In Foods that Boost Your Mood, you will learn about the emotional benefits of greens (folate—a B-vitamin—is needed in the brain for the synthesis of mood chemicals like norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine), oranges and papaya (high in Vitamin B6 and folic acid), wild-caught salmon (Omega-3’s), and yogurt and sauerkraut (See
the previous Tip for Well-being on fermented foods). Saffron made the list, too!

There isn’t a wealth of research to back up saffron’s effect on mood, but a series of smaller experiments from Iran, which produces most of the world’s saffron, showed promising results: Capsules of 30 mg of saffron were more effective at lifting depression than a placebo and were also found to be as effective as Prozac.

This week, become aware of the emotional benefit of the foods you eat. Eat well, feel well, be well… Now, this is a tip worth sharing!

Tips from 5 April 2010 to 6 August 2012 are here: Archived Tips


Small Changes … Infinite Results™

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” 
~ Mother Teresa

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