Sponsored by HEARTS, 美华文学, and 硅谷女性

Home / Uncategorized / Health / Food and Mood

Food and Mood

by Rita Li

Food is an important aspect of life when considering survival. While many have suggested that eating healthy can improve physical health and body shapes, it is often ignored how healthy eating can also impact people’s mood in everyday life. Today, we will discuss how food is related to the brain, and how eating healthy can improve people’s moods.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that sends messages amongst nerve cells. It plays a major role in people’s moods. Serotonin is used to remove bad substances from the body and those with low serotonin are more likely to develop depression. Studies have shown that about 90% of serotonin receptors are located in the digestive system of the human body. Therefore, what one consumes can directly impact the chemicals in the brain which control your emotions.

People function the best when they are fueled with nutritious diets. An article written by Cleveland Clinic mentions that eating foods with high proteins (fish, chicken, eggs, etc.) will release high levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. These brain chemicals will increase the mood, motivation, and concentration of people. Besides foods high in proteins, fruits and vegetables also seem to boost people’s moods. In addition, foods containing vast amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants will nourish the brain and protect it from oxidative stress.

Low-nutritious foods, on the other hand, can cause swings in blood sugar levels and moods. An article written by Genomind states that fluctuations in blood sugar are harmful to overall brain health and affect the mood. Furthermore, low-nutritious foods contain lots of refined sugars, which will promote inflammation by inhibiting the human’s regulation of insulin. And because low-nutritious foods can be digested quickly, people who consume vast amounts of low-nutritious foods are more likely to become what is known as “hangry” (hungry + angry).

In conclusion, eating nutritious foods can positively impact a human’s body, brain, and mood. Although it is tempting to consume low-nutritious junk foods sometimes, it is best to be avoided.

About David Zhang

Check Also

Proper Ear Care: Understanding Earwax and Safe Cleaning Methods

By Kevin Gong Some people swear by their cotton swabs, and others say ear candles …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *