It is quite surprising to know that the foods we eat can have a huge impact on our moods. Recent studies have shown that most of people who cut back on mood suppressors and filled up with mood supporters reported improved mental health. They can control their mood swings, panic attacks, anxiety and depression.
The foods that we eat make us energetic, sometimes angry, sleepy or sluggish. Modern science is still discovering these facts and the connection between the moods and foods. The kind of food we eat is instrumental in endowing in us qualities such as, a sense of wellbeing, concentration, awareness and variations of energy levels.
Ayurveda AND FOODS
Ayurveda, a South Indian medical system, has described the connection between moods and foods centuries ago. It has classified foods into three kinds i.e. satvic foods, rajasic foods and tamasic foods. Each one has its own qualities of influence on our moods.
Satvic Foods
Cereals, pulses, sprouts, fruits and vegetables and even honey are examples for satvic foods. They keep our mind calm and composed. They give us the energy that we need to carry out any work.
Rajasic Foods
Coffee, tea, eggs, fish, salt, chocolate and some snacks are some of the examples for rajasic foods. They can keep our minds agitated and increase our activity, passion and emotions like jealousy, anger, etc.
Tamasic Foods
Tobacco, alcohol and non-vegetarian foods can be mentioned as examples for tamasic. They are said to promote indifference, anger, greed, laziness, etc.
Food and Our Body
Foods that we eat cause variations in the secretions in our body. These secretions activate our brain. There are some chemicals in the brain called the neurotransmitters. Some of these neurotransmitters cause excitement and some calm down our mood. These neurotransmitters are produced in the brain by the foods that we eat. There are three important neurotransmitters that are produced by our brain. They are: Dopamine, Norepinephrine and Serotonin.
Dopamine and Norepinephrine are the chemicals that alert and activate us. We react more quickly and feel more motivated and attentive. Adrenaline which is also known as epinephrine also activates our emotions. Serotonin makes us calm and relaxed. Studies show that when our brain is using Serotonin, feelings of stress and tension decrease and the mind can concentrate and focus better. It also makes us sleepy and sluggish.
Eat Foods to Suit Your Moods
You can take foods that can change your moods as per your need and necessity.
Do you want to be calm energetic? Take carbohydrates. Carbohydrate foods make one feel better, less stressed and calm. The best way to consume carbohydrates is as whole grains and complex carbohydrates.
If you want a sleepy mood, take peppy proteins. They also release brain chemicals for self esteem, optimism, good feelings and good sleep. Protein also enables the production of Dopamine and Norepinephrine which help to increase alertness and faster action. Amino acids which are found in protein help in the creation of endorphins. Endorphins are the neurotransmitters which are essential for people suffering from stress, depressions, anxiety and unnecessary worries.
Do you want a happy mood? Take fruits and vegetables. Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, which the brain needs to produce serotonin for facilitating happy moods. Vegetables are also loaded with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are necessary for maintaining happy mood.
Eat to be Happy
From the above details we can conclude that our eating can also be an element of keeping our moods happy and elated. At the same time wrong eating can cause the reverse. Hence it is advisable to study more about these and with a proper knowledge we can make the life on this earth heavenly.
