{"id":14917,"date":"2016-11-04T11:58:17","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T11:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pre.shawellness.com\/shamagazine\/shamagazine\/?p=14917"},"modified":"2022-03-04T08:45:22","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T08:45:22","slug":"how-what-you-eat-affects-your-mood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pre.shawellness.com\/shamagazine\/en\/how-what-you-eat-affects-your-mood\/","title":{"rendered":"How what you eat affects your mood"},"content":{"rendered":"

The same way that weather can affect our mood<\/a>, what we eat can as well. Have you ever thought about the connection between what you eat and your mood?<\/strong> Have you ever noticed that after eating certain foods your energy levels go down, you’re more irritable and get brain fog?<\/strong> Well there\u2019s an explanation for this! What you eat does have effect your mood!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Did you know that there are more than 100 million neurons in the gut?<\/strong> The gut lining if filled with a network of neurons which produce important neurotransmitters that affect our mood<\/strong>, such as serotonin<\/strong> and dopamine<\/strong>. These neurotransmitters have both physical and psychological functions that influence mood, appetite, sleep, sexual desire and wellbeing.<\/strong> Considering that 95% of the serotonin<\/strong> and 50% of dopamine is found in the gut<\/strong>, there is a strong connection between diet and mood.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Because the gut contains hundreds of millions of neurons, it is considered to be our \u201csecond brain\u201d<\/strong>. The second brain is also known as the enteric nervous system.<\/strong> The enteric nervous system sends and receives impulses, records experiences and responds to emotions.<\/strong> Roughly, a third of the nervous system runs through the gut. That\u2019s quite a lot!<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all experienced butterflies in our stomach, or have had our appetite suppressed when we get nervous.<\/strong> That\u2019s a response from our enteric nervous system. The same way that our emotions can influence our digestive system, our gut can also affect our brain.<\/strong> It\u2019s a two way system.<\/p>\n

Different foods have different reactions in our gut and make us feel a certain way.<\/strong> That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to feed your gut with foods full of nutrients<\/strong> and avoid eating foods that cause the gut to react negatively<\/strong>, and consequently, affect our mood.<\/p>\n

The brain requires certain nutrients for healthy functioning,<\/strong> therefore, it\u2019s crucial to have a diet rich in vitamins and minerals that can fuel the brain.<\/strong> An unhealthy diet rich in processed foods, sugar and unhealthy fats can increase levels of depression, anxiety, mood swings and decrease energy levels.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Eating processed foods full of sugar and refined carbohydrates<\/strong>, also known as empty calories, can be very detrimental to your gut, your health and your mood. <\/strong><\/p>\n

In order to create the much desired feel good neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine,<\/strong> your digestive system requires certain nutrients.<\/strong> For example, it requires vitamin B12, iron and folate (vitamin b9).<\/strong> Other essential nutrients to boost mood are tryptophan, omega-3 and selenium.<\/strong> Omega-3 <\/a>and selenium for example help combat depression<\/strong>, which in turn, helps improve mood levels and tryptophan is a natural mood booster.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Foods to include:<\/h4>\n