Someone has aptly said that you are what you eat. A build-up of stress and anxiety can negatively impact your lifestyle and lead to poor eating and sleeping habits, which in turn influence mood. There are simple hacks to increase the secretion of happy hormones, such as indulging in a balanced diet rich in tryptophan. 

Food carries mysterious powers to gush out your happy hormones. Choosing what you eat wisely dictates your physical as well as mental well-being. A cup of cake or a hearty salad bowl? The choice is yours. Want to know more about the happy hormone foods? Understand their roles first. 

Dopamine 

Dopamine plants the seeds of motivation and excitement. Imagine your brain as a garden and your mood as pretty flowers. Like flowers need sunlight and water to bloom, your mood needs hormones to make you happy. You can eat bananas, which are rich in Vitamin B6 and promote the release of dopamine and serotonin. 

Serotonin 

Serotonin keeps the brain calm and keeps depression away. The body produces serotonin mainly in the intestines, with about 90% of the body’s serotonin found there. The brain produces only about 10% of the body’s serotonin. The foods you can eat to boost it are nuts and seeds crackers. Seeds like pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, etc., are decent choices. Packed with many protective nutrients, they also provide a good amount of selenium and zinc, essential for brain function. 

Oxytocin 

Oxytocin nurtures love and builds trustworthy bonds. It is a hormone that contributes to emotional well-being and manages reproductive systems and human behaviour. Foods that contain vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin D, and dietary fats can help increase oxytocin levels. Some examples include dark chocolate, fatty fish, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, spinach, and avocados. 

Endorphins 

They shield you from pain. One food containing them is chocolate. Its aroma, texture, and taste all lure a happy mood. According to scientific data, chocolates are rich in magnesium and other stress-reducing compounds. This happy hormone food triggers endorphin release, a natural substance that relieves pain. A tip is to consume dark chocolate in small amounts for maximum benefits. 

Foods for better gut health 

There is a strong connection between our gut and brain. Our moods and physical feelings are often a result of what we eat, and stomach problems are one of the most common symptoms of stress and anxiety. It is an example of how gut health affects mental health. To improve gut health, you can consume leafy greens, fermented foods, guava, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. 

Final words 

The gut-brain axis involves bidirectional communication between the enteric and central nervous systems. It connects the brain’s emotional and cognitive centres with peripheral intestinal functions. Eat a balanced diet for better mental and gut health, as depending on just one aspect might not be a comprehensive enough treatment for mental health challenges.