Avocado. If you are not a fan of walnuts, avocados are another excellent source of tryptophan, a key ingredient in serotonin synthesis. Avocados also have a myriad of other health benefits. Consume at least half an avocado every day.
Avocados are also rich in folate, which research indicates could aid in reducing symptoms of depression. They also contain a good amount of vitamin K. One observational study found that older adults who consumed more vitamin K in their diets tended to have lower symptoms of depression.
Answer. Several fruits and vegetables contain tryptophan, which is a building block to creating mood-boosting serotonin. So if we consume produce rich in tryptophan, our bodies can make more serotonin. Plantains, pineapple, bananas, kiwi fruit, plums, and tomatoes contain high amounts of tryptophan.
Foods high in trans fats: Eating foods high in trans fats like potato chips, pizza, and fast food are linked to decreasing serotonin levels. These foods affect our mental health by causing inflammation that could prevent the production of Omega-3 fatty acids that improve brain function and mental health.
Avocados are a source of vitamins C, E, K, and B6, as well as riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and potassium. They also provide lutein, beta carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids. Avocados contain high levels of healthy, beneficial fats, which can help a person feel fuller between meals.
This smooth and creamy fruit is packed with nutrients including choline, which your body uses to regulate your nervous system and mood. A 2020 study found that the healthy fats in avocados are associated with decreased anxiety in women.
Food rich in B vitamins, such as avocados and almonds, have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.
You can also limit foods that can negatively affect serotonin levels. Alcohol, aspartame, caffeine, trans fat, and fructose can be limited or eliminated from your diet to support healthy serotonin levels.
Drinks like green tea and probiotics help to boost serotonin. Other foods containing Vitamin D are also good because Vitamin D activates tryptophan, which leads to increases in serotonin levels. Good sources of Vitamin D foods include cod liver oil, fortified orange juice, and many types of yogurt.
95% of the body's serotonin, however, is produced in the intestine where it has been increasingly recognized for its hormonal, autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine actions.
Avocados are rich in stress-relieving B vitamins and heart-healthy fat that may help to lessen anxiety. They also contain vitamin E, a nutrient that is important for vision, reproduction, and maintaining healthy skin.
If you're feeling sad, anxious or fearful, avocado could help to put you in a better mood. Avocados are a good source of folate, and research suggests that folate deficiency may be behind irrational fears and anxiety. Avocados are also rich in omega-3, which is also good for the mood and brain health.
Avocados
Moreover, avocados also contain tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid that has a powerful impact on mood and mental health. It helps to balance hormones and aids in serotonin production. Consequently, eating foods containing tryptophan improves mood and overall mental stability.
In fact, researchers have found that avocados may protect the heart in a similar way as olive oil and nuts do in the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet. A 2018 analysis of 10 studies found an increase in HDL (protective cholesterol) in people who consumed an average of 1 to 3.7 avocados daily.
Avocados
A source of healthful unsaturated fat, avocados may support the brain. Eating monounsaturated fats may reduce blood pressure, and high blood pressure is linked with cognitive decline. Thus, by reducing high blood pressure, the unsaturated fats in avocados may lower the risk of cognitive decline.
If you're craving avocados or red meat, you need more iron
That very well might be your body's response to a lack of iron, a mineral that helps boost energy levels and keeps you going even when the sun's already set.
Avocado, which has quickly surged into the superfood category, is packed with tyrosine, which helps the body produce dopamine, which is known as the brain's pleasure center. Avocados are also loaded with B vitamins and fatty acids that are linked to helping with anxiety and depression.
Avocados are a powerhouse of healthy fats, and recent studies indicate they may have a positive effect on your gut bacteria. They also contain a significant amount of folate, or vitamin B9, which assists your brain in the creation of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
In addition to healthy fats, avocados contain plant sterols which can help block estrogen absorption and promote progesterone production. Avocados are also rich in beta-sitosterol – which can help balance the stress hormone cortisol.
Vitamin D activates an enzyme that converts tryptophan into serotonin. If vitamin D levels are low, our brains make less serotonin. Thus, increasing vitamin D intake may increase serotonin levels, thereby potentially supporting mental health [15, 16].
The serotonin test measures the level of serotonin in the blood. Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.