Feeling grumpy, stressed or down? Try these mood-improving foods:
Lemon:
Research has shown that the smell of lemon significantly improves mood. Not only is it mood-enhancing, but because of its high Vitamin C content, lemon has been publicized as an alternative medicine for the digestive system as well as the immune system.
Yogurt:
Research shows that women who experience moodiness from premenstrual syndrome may have an underlying condition where calcium isn’t used properly by the body during times of low estrogen in the menstrual cycle. Consuming at least 1000 mg of calcium each day has been found to effectively alleviate depression and anxiety in women who experience PMS. Plain yogurt is actually one of the most concentrated sources of the mineral at 488 mg calcium per cup.
Dark Chocolate:
Chocolate has the optimal combination of sweet flavor and creamy texture to cause a very effective release of endorphins, which are mood-elevating hormones. Cocoa and dark chocolate contain significant amounts of antioxidant flavanols, which have been shown to improve blood flow in the brain. Yum!
Walnuts:
Walnuts are the only nut that contain a significant amount of omega-3s, which are an important component of cell membranes and are vital for brain cells to function well. They also rank higher than other nuts in terms of antioxidants, which help to protect cells from damage.
Now off to happy eating!!
Choice News 