How To Get In A Good Mood

iStock-512120600

The human microbiome, or gut environment, is a community of different bacteria that has co-evolved with humans to be beneficial to both a person and the bacteria. Researchers agree that a person's unique microbiome is created within the first 1,000 days of life, but there are things you can do to alter your gut environment throughout your life.

Ultra-processed foods and gut health

What we eat, especially foods that contain chemical additives and ultra-processed foods, affects our gut environment and increases our risk of diseases. Ultra-processed foods contain substances extracted from food (such as sugar and starch), added from food constituents (hydrogenated fats), or made in a laboratory (flavor enhancers, food colorings). It's important to know that ultra-processed foods such as fast foods are manufactured to be extra tasty by the use of such ingredients or additives, and are cost effective to the consumer. These foods are very common in the typical Western diet. Some examples of processed foods are canned foods, sugar-coated dried fruits, and salted meat products. Some examples of ultra-processed foods are soda, sugary or savory packaged snack foods, packaged breads, buns and pastries, fish or chicken nuggets, and instant noodle soups.

Researchers recommend "fixing the food first" (in other words, what we eat) before trying gut modifying-therapies (probiotics, prebiotics) to improve how we feel. They suggest eating whole foods and avoiding processed and ultra-processed foods that we know cause inflammation and disease.

But what does my gut have to do with my mood?

When we consider the connection between the brain and the gut, it's important to know that 90% of serotonin receptors are located in the gut. In the relatively new field of nutritional psychiatry we help patients understand how gut health and diet can positively or negatively affect their mood. When someone is prescribed an antidepressant such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), the most common side effects are gut-related, and many people temporarily experience nausea, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal problems. There is anatomical and physiologic two-way communication between the gut and brain via the vagus nerve. The gut-brain axis offers us a greater understanding of the connection between diet and disease, including depression and anxiety.

When the balance between the good and bad bacteria is disrupted, diseases may occur. Examples of such diseases include: inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), asthma, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cognitive and mood problems. For example, IBD is caused by dysfunction in the interactions between microbes (bacteria), the gut lining, and the immune system.

Diet and depression

A recent study suggests that eating a healthy, balanced diet such as the Mediterranean diet and avoiding inflammation-producing foods may be protective against depression. Another study outlines an Antidepressant Food Scale, which lists 12 antidepressant nutrients related to the prevention and treatment of depression. Some of the foods containing these nutrients are oysters, mussels, salmon, watercress, spinach, romaine lettuce, cauliflower, and strawberries.

A better diet can help, but it's only one part of treatment. It's important to note that just like you cannot exercise out of a bad diet, you also cannot eat your way out of feeling depressed or anxious.

We should be careful about using food as the only treatment for mood, and when we talk about mood problems we are referring to mild and moderate forms of depression and anxiety. In other words, food is not going to impact serious forms of depression and thoughts of suicide, and it is important to seek treatment in an emergency room or contact your doctor if you are experiencing thoughts about harming yourself.

Suggestions for a healthier gut and improved mood

Eat whole foods and avoid packaged or processed foods, which are high in unwanted food additives and preservatives that disrupt the healthy bacteria in the gut.
Instead of vegetable or fruit juice, consider increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Frozen fruits without added sugars/additives are a good choice too.
Eat enough fiber and include whole grains and legumes in your diet.
Include probiotic-rich foods such as plain yogurt without added sugars.
To reduce sugar intake at breakfast, add cinnamon to plain yogurt with berries, or to oatmeal or chia pudding.
Adding fermented foods such as kefir (unsweetened), sauerkraut, or kimchi can be helpful to maintain a healthy gut.
Eat a balance of seafoods and lean poultry, and less red meat each week.
Add a range of colorful fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet, and consider choosing certain organic produce.

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Amarnath S

December 11, 2018

This seems to reiterate what is told in the Indian text, Bhagavad Gita, a few millennia ago. There are three verses specifically related to food taken in:
1. The foods which promote life, strength, health, joy and cheerfulness, which are sweet, soft, nourishing and agreeable are dear to the 'good'.
2. The fools that are bitter, sour, saltish, very hot, pungent, harsh and burning, producing pain, grief and disease, are liked by the 'passionate'.
3. The foods which are spoiled, tasteless, putrid, stale, refuse and unclean is the food dear to the 'dull'.

Beth Kendrick

December 24, 2018

CTRL+F flora
No results
This article is garbage

VIKAS CHAUDHARY

December 10, 2018

Is their any relation with the time when we consume good food (Gfood)

Herminio Cuervo

December 10, 2018

This is a much needed change in venue when discussing affectivity and the relationship between what we eat and how the brain functions.
Physicians need to be more proactive in advising patients about this relationship.

Richard Michael

December 10, 2018

I had a profound depression in 1990 at age 40. I was a teacher for many years, and the depression forced me to leave for months, I had lost my wife 3 years previously after a long bout of Hodgkins, and I was raising our young son. My point in writing this is that chocolate has been a food that has drastically affected my mood, not sure if it was because of the meds, heavy dose of Wellbutrin or it was part of the cause of the depression. I am not 68 and now other foods that affect my mood, none as bad as chocolate which would be devastating if I ate just one Hershey bar. Other items are tomatoes, cashews, pistachios, artificial sweeteners, MSG, and I suspect other foods because when I get a low spell it is often right after I eat. Chocolate for me is a devastating food, and I certainly love the taste, and still miss eating it after many years of abstinence. I think that it should be studied for its depressive elements because we often hear that it is a mood elevator with its many chemical compounds.

Maureen

December 11, 2018

I have never heard a food that had a devastating effect (drugs yes: alcohol abuse; depressent, amphetamine/cocaine can turn a normally balanced person suicidal &/or homicidal if awake for days with no sleep). Just a thought for your sake; I do not think there are enough xanthines (mild stimulant w/ normal chocolate/cocoa consumption) to disregulate one's mood. However, I'm curious if there's a chance your body has a traumatic memory assosciated with eating chocolate (maybe a memory unable to recollect ? e.g., maybe a mean (cruel) abusive incident with a babysitter when a toddler that was cruel & you had just eaten chocolate? … never know if the cognitive memory is buried, your body/GI tract may retain the 'gut' memory. Please know I am no expert, and have no degree (just a hunch).

Bonnie Madland

December 10, 2018

Very interesting. I think gut biome is fascinating.

Commenting has been closed for this post.