Jackson Free Press

Food greatly affects our moods. Chamomile tea can calm us, strong coffee can invigorate us, and comfort food makes us feel loved. Science backs up many food choices we make to improve our mood.

The Mayo Clinic reports that Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, tryptophan, folate and other B vitamins, low glycemic foods, and chocolate all show an impact on mood. The results are mixed, but show an association between these foods and improved mood.

Your body makes its own serotonin from tryptophan, an essential amino acid, in the brain. Foods high in tryptophan increase the level of serotonin in the brain. Protein food such as most meats, seafood, eggs and legumes are rich in tryptophan. This also explains the good feeling some people get after eating seafood.

Other nutrients help increase serotonin level in the brain and enhance your mood.

Vitamin B6 helps convert tryptophan into serotonin. Foods rich in vitamin B6 include buckwheat, oatmeal, wheat germ, avocado, soya beans, garbanzo beans and walnuts. Not surprisingly, nutritionist Joy Bauer suggests that to decrease mood swings, eat more oats, brown rice, barley, apples, pears, strawberries, oranges, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas and beans.

Also, water your brain. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that dehydration can affect mood and even cognitive ability, so be sure to drink plenty of water.