Anxiety and depression are the most common mental disorders in Britain, with one in 10 of us suffering from them in any one year.
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The concept of ‘mood food’ is already big in Japan. There, one of the latest foods
to hit the shelves is GABA – ‘The Mental Balance Chocolate’. How
exactly this helps to lift our mood is complicated and also unproven,
but it is thought that the chocolate may increase the amount of a
mood-enhancing chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (or GABA, hence
the name) available to the brain. This in turn has a relaxing effect
and helps reduce anxiety.
It’s an interesting idea and great news for chocoholics. However, more
research is needed to confirm or refute the benefits. Meanwhile, it’s
still chocolate, which means it’s full of calories, fat and sugar, and
overindulging could send blood sugar levels soaring, leaving us
irritable, stressed and down. Plus, eat too much chocolate and you’ll
notice the effects next time you get on the bathroom scales!
Another food that’s being lined up for its potential mood-boosting
effects is green tea. Already talked about for its ability to prevent
or treat certain cancers, lower cholesterol and boost metabolism, this
alternative cuppa has hit the headlines on many occasions. But now it
seems one of its natural ingredients, L-theanine, may help to regulate
our mood.
It’s not clear how L-theanine works, but it is thought to
affect the metabolism and release of neurotransmitters in the brain,
such as dopamine, low levels of which are linked to depression. Much
more research is needed in this area before we can claim that green tea
is a mood booster. However, swapping your regular cuppa for green tea
won’t do any harm.
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Deficiencies of vitamins B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin) and B6 (pyridoxine), for example, can cause depression.
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Another supposed mood-booster that’s stirring up a lot of interest is
B-group vitamins. Many of this group of vitamins are needed for a
healthy nervous system, which in turn helps keep us mentally and
emotionally well. Deficiencies of vitamins B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin)
and B6 (pyridoxine), for example, can cause depression. Similarly,
folate levels are often low in people who are depressed.
However, it remains unclear whether giving large doses of these
nutrients to people who already get enough will actually lift their
mood. Until more research is carried out, make sure you’re eating
sufficient B-group vitamins in foods such as wholegrain cereals, oats,
brown rice, low-fat dairy products, lean red meat, poultry, fish, such as salmon, eggs,
liver, pulses, nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables, such as spinach.
Ultimately, if you want to stay happy and healthy, experts agree it’s
important to eat regularly and follow a balanced diet that’s low in
fat, sugar and salt, and rich in fibre and nutrients. This means
filling up on meals and snacks that are based on fresh, natural and
tasty ingredients, preferably that you’ve prepared yourself. After all,
enjoying a delicious meal with family or friends is guaranteed to put a
smile on your face.
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