A healthy gut is paramount to happiness. It is a proven fact that our digestive system not only helps in
digesting food but also guides our emotions and is very closely linked with our mood. The link between
our digestive system and our brain is known as the Gut-Brain Axis. This communication works both
ways, which means that the gut and the brain are constantly talking and influencing each other.It is
noticeable that the way our emotions affect the functioning of our digestive system, gut health also
influences our mood and thinking. Thus it becomes important to take care of gut health. So, to feel good
inside and out, ensure that the food you put in your system is the right one.
The hormone connection
The major hormone which helps to stabilize and uplift our mood is known as ‘Serotonin’. Also known as
the happiness hormone, increases when your mood is elevated and when depleted you feel low or sad.
There are millions and trillions of bacteria living inside our gut. These microbes communicatewithour
brain by regulating the production of hormones and neurotransmitters, that help in various functions of
the body. The majority ofthese hormones areproduced in the gut. One of them, Serotonin, is
responsible for regulating our mood.Therefore, an imbalance of the gut microbiome can have profound
health effects on the entire body including our mental health.
With this understanding, if you nourish the gut bacteria through the right diet and nutritious food, you
can improve your mental health. Because they hold the keys to radiant health and ultimate happiness.
When in search of happiness, joy or uplifting your mood, food is your number one supporter. And if
happiness starts in the gut, then one must eat their way to joy.
The Right Diet Concoction
However, chasing happiness through fast food and junkloaded with sugar and low-quality fats is not the
solution and does more harm than good. Such food can lead to gut dysbiosis and can later develop a
condition known as leaky gut, which has been linked with many mood disorders such as ADHD, anxiety,
and depression.
By eating afibrous, colorful, plant-rich rainbow diet,you can ensure the necessary nourishment of the
gut bacteria to keep your health in high spirits. On the other hand, probiotic-rich foodisalso very helpful
for your gut health, improved mood and reducing stress or anxiety. But a probiotic diet alone cannot
ensure good gut health.
A probiotic diet accompanied with a full diet of refined carbohydrates, processed or packaged foodswill
hardly make difference. It is essential to create an appropriate environment for probiotics to sustain.
This can be achieved by eating nutritious food and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Therefore, one needs to appreciate, that gut bacteria are solely reliant on what we eat.Itiscrucial to feed
yourself with the right nutrition every day, not only for your overall growth or happiness but also for the
bacteria residing inside you.
What to Eat
Here are some options that can help you boost your mood and keep you going all day long:
- Fill yourself with whole grains: This group of food is a good source of fiber and Vitamins which
are beneficial for both gut and brain health. These complex carbohydrates such as brown rice,
quinoa, sorghum, or millets etc. help the blood sugar levels to stay on track and keeping us full
for a long time. This prevents from feeling hungry, irritable, or cranky more easily.
- Go green: Eating a wide array of vegetables, with lots of dark leafy greens and high-fiber root
vegetables,such as spinach, broccoli, carrot, beetroot, sweet potato etc. are filled with
nutrientshelpful in soothing stress and prevents low moods.
- A healthy sweet treat to uplift your mood can be done with fruits! Brighten up your meals with
fruits as it is a great way to indulge whenever you want the craving for desserts. Eating a variety
of fruits such as berries is ideal for starting your day. Banana is ideal to energize and cast away
the morning blues.
- Going Nuts: Nuts are the best go-to foods for proteins, along with fiber and healthy fats such as
omega 3, polyunsaturated fatty acids, etc. Food especially rich in these essential fats can be a
big-time mood uplifter and plays a vital role in mental wellbeing. Nuts such as walnuts, almonds
and seeds such as Chia seeds, flax seeds are good sources of healthy fat and should be a part of
your daily diet regime.
- Trying out dark chocolate is another good idea, as ‘chocolates do make us happy’. According to
researches, eating dark chocolates can help in reducing stress and uplifting mood because they
are a rich source of antioxidants, iron and magnesium helping us to relax and feel much better.
No one food has a miracle cure however a healthy diet full of all kinds of whole foods can work wonders,
in helping one feel their best. Therefore, we can say that the food which we eat surely affects how we
feel.
