The return after the holidays, the stress of everyday life, work, children… There can 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 influences our mood. We tell you what the foods that increase serotonin are.
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 that also have an anti-stress effect on the body, helping to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
Oranges, kiwis or strawberries: rich in vitamin C, they improve our mood and strengthen our immune system in times of stress.
Bananas, avocados, 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 endorphins that inhibit 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 time of day when sweet substances are better assimilated and when hormones are better predisposed to transmit well-being and pleasure. So start the day off right!
