Mood Monitors

Wow! Every time I wallop down my favourite luscious dark chocolate, I feel not just comforted but also on top of the world. Makes me stop and think. Does food really affect moods? A question which I have been asking and a subject that I have been researching steadily over the years. Why is it that a heavy carbohydrate-rich lunch makes me feel sleepy and lethargic? The connection is intriguing and I try to find out more from nutritionists, naturopaths and even Ayurveda acharyas. Here are some of the answers, couched in simplistic terms. Food and Mood: It’s not just alcohol which is a mood-altering substance. Our everyday food affects our moods too. Within the brain, chemicals help transmit messages from one nerve cell to another. There are two such substances known as endorphins, which affect our moods — serotonin and norepinephrine. The body makes these particular endorphins from the food we eat and therefore we can, to a certain extent, raise the level of these substances in the brain by eating specific foods. The main source of these endorphins is sugary carbohydrate-rich food. This explains why many of us feel happier when we eat chocolates and sweets. However the problem with eating too much of these is that sugary foods are absorbed rapidly into the blood. And though this causes a serotonin rush, it is broken down rapidly and eventually leads to a drop in blood sugar and endorphin levels. So, such foods can leave you feeling even lower than before. On the other hand, natural sugars give you a steady high.

Feeling low is also linked to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals and therefore, to improper eating. A huge database of research points in the direction of eating right and light. So, for the sake of your mood, it is best to stick to natural sugars and natural starches. Natural sugars are found in fruits and veggies (as opposed to refined sugars in honey, cakes etc.) and natural starches occur in wholegrains, brown rice, beans, fruits and veggies (as opposed to refined starches in white bread, pastas etc.). These natural foods keep you clear-eyed and energetic. The reason? They release energy at a slower steadier pace, do not slow down your metabolism and so don’t end up channelising the blood supply away from your brain. In other words, they keep you feeling fresh and in a good mood. Naturally!

No wonder our naanis and daadis used to say “Eat it, it’s good for you!”