See How Tweaking Your Nutrition Can Enhance Your Mood

Our brain is always working 24/7. It does not rest even if we are sleeping. It takes care of our body movement, breathing, thoughts, and even our senses. It needs sufficient nutrients for it to work properly. We can get these nutrients in the food we intake. 

Our brain is like a car, it won’t operate if it doesn’t have enough fuel. But our brain is not just some cars- it’s like an expensive car. And an expensive car needs premium fuel. Just like our brain, it needs premium- nutritious and high-quality foods.

But our food can be damaging to our brain, especially foods that are not nutritious such as processed food or refined foods. It can thwart your brain from working well which leads to mood changes and the risks of acquiring symptoms such as anxiety and depression increases.

In a study, a western diet, or one with plenty of added salt, sugar, and fat, can be more likely to lead to mood changes.

How Does Food Affect Our Mood?

There is a natural chemical called neurotransmitter. It’s often referred to as chemical messengers. This chemical controls most of the activities of our body. This activity includes our breathing, heartbeat, our emotions as well as concentration level. There is a certain food that will help relax our neurotransmitters which affect our mood greatly. Neurotransmitter includes;

1. Serotonin – This helps regulate anxiety, emotions, and moods.
2. Dopamine – Helps you to stay focus and alert, and it will activate your sense of pleasure.
3. Endorphin – The endorphin is working like a drug called opioids. This drug can help relieve stress and pain and it releases a feeling of euphoria.
4. Oxytocin – This plays a big role in female reproductive function which includes sexual activity, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Oxytocin is a hormone that is produced in the hypothalamus.

Balance and Healthy Diet Greatly Affects Our Mood

A healthy diet is important for individuals. It will help maintain the overall health and improve mood. Since our brain needs nutrients to function, a healthy diet will help provide the body with essential nutrients: fluid, macronutrients, micronutrients, and adequate calories.

A healthy diet includes;

Eat a Well-balanced Meal, Including breakfast

Whole-grain carbohydrates, healthy fats and lots of fibers, protein and complex- all of these should be included in your meal, especially breakfast. This gives the necessary nutrients.

Avoid Refined Carbs and High-Sugar Foods

Breakfast cereals, sweet desserts, pasta, pastries, and pizza dough should be exchanged for whole grains, fruits as well as vegetables.

Control Portion Sizes

Remember that too much of everything will do more harm than good.

Reduce The Number of Calories

Reducing the number of calories will help you to lose weight. 

Pick Good Sources of Proteins

Protein helps stabilize blood sugar. Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), fish and seafood (fish, prawns, crab, lobster, mussels, oysters, scallops), eggs, lean meats (beef, lamb, veal), almonds, and oats are all high in protein.

Hydrate Yourself

Drink lots of water (8 glasses of water a day is recommended). Always hydrate yourself and avoid sugary drinks such as soft drinks and sodas.

Exercise

On top of a healthy diet, consider exercising. This will help you boost your overall performance and mood. Other benefits of exercise include; boosts energy, improves sleep, combats health disease, and controls weight.

The 7 Types of Nutrients that Our Body Needs

Carbohydrates

Do not compromise your carbohydrates because this is your body’s main source of energy.

Protein

This helps to repair the cells in your body and makes a new one. Protein is also important to the development growth of individuals- teens, children, and pregnant women.

Fats

It will help insulate your body and will keep you warm. It also absorbs vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K).

Vitamins

This plays many roles in your body including converting food into energy and repair cellular damage.

Minerals

Important in making enzymes and hormones. They also make your body healthy. They help the bones, muscles, heart, and brain to work properly.

Fiber

The role of fiber is to help clean out bacteria and other build-ups in your intestines and reduces the risk of colon cancer.

Water

Water allows all of the other nutrients to be absorbed in your body. It also carries nutrients to all the cells in your body and carries oxygen in your brain.

In order to live a healthy lifestyle, one should know how to tweak or enhance the nutrients in their body. This will greatly help in improving mood and reduce the risks of stress, depression, and anxiety. Your role in making your brain and body healthy is vital. Make a move now before everything gets out of hand.