Food for health and a good mood
A healthy, balanced diet can do much more than just strengthen the immune system. It also contributes to vitality, radiant skin and a healthy mental state.
Athletes in particular know the value of a healthy, balanced diet, as a well-fuelled body is often more efficient and less susceptible to injury. A balanced diet can also help to lose excess weight, which in turn can have a positive effect on endurance performance.
Nutrition as a source of happiness
The right foods can often help to balance mental health and increase motivation. Foods high in tryptophan, for example, can help to dispel depressive moods. Tryptophan, taken together with carbohydrates, promotes the production of serotonin, the "happiness hormone". Foods such as
- Cheese,
- nuts,
- peas,
- bananas,
- pineapples and
- tomatoes
can be helpful here. The riper the fruit, the higher the serotonin content.
In addition to the composition of our diet, the way we eat is also crucial. Especially in stressful times, it is often difficult to eat consciously and pay attention to our diet. Nevertheless, it is important to eat meals in a calm, stress-free environment in order to cope better with stress. Regular exercise in the gym also helps to strengthen resistance and immune defences and is simply part of a healthy lifestyle.
What is serotonin?
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a central role in the human body. It is often referred to as the "happiness hormone" because it is strongly linked to our mood, our well-being and our emotional stability. Serotonin is mainly produced in the brain, but also in the gut, and influences a variety of physical and psychological functions.
In the brain, serotonin helps to transmit signals between nerve cells and thus contributes to the regulation of mood, anxiety and stress. A balanced serotonin level is therefore crucial for a stable emotional balance. Low serotonin levels are often associated with depression, anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses.
But serotonin also has other important functions. It regulates the sleep-wake cycle by influencing the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. It also plays a role in controlling appetite, digestion and body temperature.
To summarise, serotonin is a vital chemical messenger that goes far beyond mere mood regulation and controls many aspects of our physical and mental well-being. A healthy serotonin level is therefore crucial for our general well-being and quality of life.