Serotonin Boosting Foods – Happy Foods!
Returning after the holidays, the stress of everyday life, work, the children… There may be many reasons why we sometimes feel a little sadder or down. In these cases, serotonin has a lot to do with it, since it is one of the neurotransmitters that most influence our mood. We tell you what are the foods that increase serotonin.
But before we start, what is serotonin?
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, that is, a substance responsible for transmitting nerve signals through neurons. This directly influences depressive states and its blood level provides us with pleasure or well-being, which is why many know it as the “happiness hormone”.
Serotonin is closely related to tryptophan, an essential amino acid from food, so it is through them that we can enhance its effects.
And what foods are rich in serotonin?
Mainly foods rich in vitamins B and C, magnesium and, as we said, tryptophan:
- Nuts: rich in magnesium which also have an anti-stress effect on the body, helping us to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
- Oranges, kiwis or strawberries: rich in vitamin C, they improve our mood and strengthen our immune system in episodes of stress.
- Banana, avocado, fish, meat and eggs, especially the yolk, contain large doses of tryptophan, which is the amino acid responsible for promoting the release of serotonin.
- The cocoa in chocolate, which in addition to containing tryptophan, produces endorphin that inhibits the transmission of pain.
The ideal way to notice the effect of these foods is to consume them at breakfast time, since it is the moment of the day in which sweet substances are best assimilated and in which hormones are best predisposed to transmit well-being and pleasure. So start the day off right!
