Ever wonder why you might be extremely jittery after your second cup of coffee? What about that sudden wave of sleepiness after eating that Thanksgiving turkey?
Research says that your brain has a lot to do in the processing and utilization of food.
According to a Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science article by Sarah-Marie Hopf, a complex relationship between the brain and food includes the use and transportation of serotonin, tryptohan, valine and tyrosine.
Multiple sources in the article point to psychological and emotional affects after eating certain carb- or protein-rich diets. Folic acid, for instance, is found in poultry, oranges, nuts and whole wheat breads and is associated with depression. Another example: Vitamin B1, found in cereal, pork, potatoes and eggs, causes fatigue, inactivity and an overall poor mood.
While there is no magic list of food combinations to have the perfect mood, there are some foods to eat when you need a quick energy pick-me-up or want to improve your overall outlook for the day.
High-carb foods, without protein or fat, create tryptophan, which turns into serotonin, a natural mood booster. These feel-good chemicals flood your brain when the chemical is present and it can even help you sleep.
When you’re feeling the early symptoms of depression, eat more seafood. The omega-3 fatty acids twice a week can lower your risk of onset depression. Specifically, stick to wild Pacific salmon, shrimp, haddock and mid-Atlantic blue crab, according to Prevention Magazine.
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