The effects of food on the mood.

For some time it has been believed that certain foods produce certain effects on the mood of the human being. And some of them are simple myths that are worth trying to unravel.

The fact that food influences behavior and mood is not new. Dr. Simon Young publishes a curious article in it explaining how these effects occur. It highlights that many ideas in this regard have no scientific basis and that, on the contrary, there are properties of micronutrients that have not been explored.

Tryptophan

It is used to relieve mild or moderate depression, as it is a precursor of serotonin (a neurotransmitter involved in mood). It cures insomnia and has been used successfully against pain.

Recently, it has been applied in aggressive behavior therapies (the lack of serotonin causes this effect) and dysphoric premenstrual disorder, characterized by irritability and mood swings in the days before the rule.

Tryptophan is found in animal products. However, to end depression it is better to take it in pills. The reason is that this amino acid shares the transport system to the brain with other larger ones, so it is usually relegated.

In addition, most of the foods that contain it are rich in proteins and these substances inhibit the increase of tryptophan in the brain. It should also be borne in mind that, to metabolize it, magnesium and vitamin B6 must be within normal limits (If not, their consumption does not make sense).

Folates

These compounds, which are difficult to obtain in the diet (since large amounts of foods that contain them have to be taken) have also been associated with depressive states due to their condition as precursors of

adenosylmethionine. 30% of depressed patients have deficiencies in this element.

Thus, recovering the level of folates (and, consequently, adenosylmethionine) favors the improvement of the patient. However, those affected who do not lack these nutrients will have to resort to other strategies. Folates are in spinach, legumes, orange juice, and fortified foods, such as pasta, cereals, and bread.

Carbohydrates

There is no scientific reason to believe that pasta, rice, potatoes or bread improve mood. Although some experiments with rats reveal that carbohydrates cause calm and sedation, the truth is that you cannot speak of good mood.

Young, states that rodents eat much more (in proportion to their weight) than humans and, therefore, the results are not applicable to our species. Furthermore, although carbohydrates raised serotonin and, consequently, humor, the fact is that they are usually taken with proteins, which cancels this effect. Only if the protein content is less than 4% do the amounts of serotonin rise in the brain, but normal meals do not have such a low proportion.

Glucose

Young debunks the theory, held for years, that excess glucose causes irritability and hyperactivity in children.

Reducing the amount of sugar that the little ones eat is good, although for nutritional reasons.

Interestingly, it is often the case of children who appease their behavior by taking less sugar but not because of this fact in itself, but because the mother is more aware of her diet (and of them in short) and then they behave better. On the other hand, according to several studies, sucrose (another type of sugar) has an analgesic and calming effect in babies.

Fats

Omega 3 fatty acids (present in fish) have a positive effect on pathologies such as bipolar disorder. Its possible role in schizophrenia is being investigated, but conclusive results have not yet been obtained