Top 5 Mood Boosting Foods for Seniors

The Link Between Food and Mood

When people talk about eating healthy, they are not necessarily referring to their mental health. It is easy to associate what you eat with how your body feels physically, not emotionally. 

The truth is there is a strong connection between your brain and your gastrointestinal tract. The link is so vital that the gut is sometimes referred to as the "second brain." So, when you don't eat right, it can put you on an emotional rollercoaster. 

The opposite is true, as well. Eating the right foods can balance your mood and, maybe, help you relax and feel better about things. What foods have the best mood-boosting qualities, though?

Best Foods for a Better Mood

Here are five top mood boosting foods you need to add to your diet to feel emotionally strong as well as physically. 

1. Salmon

Salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is good for your heart and your brain. Studies indicate that Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial to maintain brain cells' integrity and help transmit neural signals. That can improve cognitive functions and moods. In addition, dietary deficiencies in these powerful nutrients may  increase a person’s risk of mental health conditions, including dementia. 

Salmon is a cost-effective protein that is easy to prepare, too. Adding salmon to your diet is a tasty way to get the healthy fats your heart and brain need. Try preparing this simple salmon bowl recipe one day a week to get more omega-3 fatty acids. 

2. Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are superfoods packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. There is evidence that even a small handful each day can keep the depression blues away. It seems that nuts and seeds can also help you manage stress plus enhance both gut and brain health. 

They tend to be easy to work into your diet, too. Try this chia seed pudding recipe and enjoy all those health benefits and a sweet treat at the same time. 

3. Fermented Foods

Add fermented foods to your must-have list next time you head to the grocery store. From kimchi to pickles to yogurt, they all contain a specific type of bacteria that helps your body manage stress and lower your risk of depression or anxiety. 

New research coming out of the University of Virginia School of Medicine found that Lactobacillus, a microorganism in fermented foods, can influence mental health. This is a gut-resistant bacterium that is also critical to immune health. 

4. Oats

There are plenty of great things you could say about oats. And by oats, we mean whole oats, not the processed kind you get in breakfast cereals or manufactured granola bars. 

Not only are oats packed with nutrients such as manganese, phosphorus, and iron, but they also help stabilize your blood sugar and your mood with it. Oats contain an amino acid, tryptophan, that impacts serotonin levels. Serotonin is the hormone that regulates your mood. 

You can feed your love for granola and get the benefits from healthy oats at the same time with this heart-healthy granola recipe. 

5. Berries

Since we are talking about healthy, delicious granola and chia seed pudding, let's add berries to the list of foods good for mental health. Berries, particularly blueberries, are a superfood with many benefits. 

Berries come loaded with antioxidants for your physical health. They also decrease inflammatory processes. That, in turn, may help reduce incidents of depression. There is a proven link between depression and inflammatory processes. Control one, and you may help control the other. 

If you do not like the idea of berries on your homemade granola, how about a smoother one that helps promote weight loss instead? This ginger and berry smoothie recipe will keep you energized, too. 

Live a Mighty Life

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