It is commonly accepted that our diet has an effect on our physical health. Media and social media are constantly bombarding us with the latest diets we need to try in order to get our bodies in the ‘perfect’ shape. Less talked about, however, is the effect our diet has on our mental health.

While we may attribute our irritability, mood swings and difficulty concentrating to other stressors in life, our diet may have a big part to play in causing these symptoms.

If we take a minute to think about it, I’m sure we’ve all experienced how food can affect our mood. You might feel sluggish after grabbing a greasy burger or energized to start your day after a morning smoothie.

The science of food’s effect on mood is based on this: Dietary changes can bring about changes in our brain structure, which can then alter our behaviour. By incorporating foods shown to bring about positive brain changes, we can enhance our well-being. Below is a list of these good mood foods:

Oily fish

Oily fish such as salmon or tuna contain Omega-3 and vitamin D. These help to boost dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. Low levels of serotonin are linked with depression, while dopamine is a “reward” chemical that the brain releases in response to pleasurable experiences.

Oats

Oats are an effective mood booster. This is because they slowly release energy into our bloodstream rather than by a quick rush that soon dips. This helps to keep your blood sugar and mood stable.

Leafy greens

Leafy green vegetables – such as spinach or broccoli- contain important B vitamins. Deficiencies in B vitamins have been linked to depression and serotonin production can actually be hindered by low B vitamin levels.

Brazil nuts

Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of the mineral selenium. In recent years, people have been consuming less selenium, but eating just three Brazil nuts a day can provide your recommended daily amount (RDA).

Studies have shown increased depression, irritability, anxiety and tiredness in people with low selenium levels.

Bananas

Bananas contain dopamine, a natural reward chemical that boosts your mood. They’re also rich in B vitamins, including vitamin B6, which help to soothe your nervous system, and magnesium, another nutrient associated with positive mood.

Purple Berries

Berries like blueberries and blackberries contain antioxidants which help produce dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that is critical to memory function and mood.

Saffron

Early studies found saffron to have effects comparable to antidepressant medications. Researchers believe that the spice works by “the same mechanism as Prozac,” helping to make the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin more available to the brain.

Chocolate

Eating a small amount of dark chocolate every day can reduce feelings of stress. A recent study by Nestle found that, over just two weeks, this helped to reduce stress hormones among people who were highly stressed. Experts believe it could be thanks to the antioxidants found in chocolate.

By incorporating these superfoods into your diet, you will experience increased energy, reduced anxiety, irritability, tiredness and fatigue, and a boost in self-esteem and confidence.

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