Source: junkfoodbetty.com

The song from the Arby’s “Good Mood Food” campaign is constantly stuck in my head. Maybe it’s the rhyming words, or maybe it’s just the catchy tune. Either way, I walk around singing it much more often than I should. This recently led me to wonder… How much does food truly impact our mood?

Research shows that certain foods do indeed have the power to greatly improve one’s mood. For example, according to a CNN article, chocolate is definitely proven to have a positive influence. This is due to the fact that cocoa boosts levels of serotonin, which is the same thing that antidepressants aim to do. The Journal of Psychopharmacology published a study in which some of the subjects, seventy-two men and women between the ages of 45 and 60 years old, drank a dark chocolate drink once daily for 30 days. Those who drank the chocolate drink claimed to be much calmer and more content than those who did not consume the chocolate drink.

Another food that has been shown to improve one’s mood is a banana. Because one banana alone can contain up to 10 milligrams of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for controlling pleasure in the brain, it can positively enhance one’s mood.

Although there are many foods that are greatly beneficial to one’s mood, there are also certain foods that one should avoid due to their negative influence. Sugar can be extremely detrimental to one’s mood if it is consumed excessively. Because sugar consumption can cause one’s blood sugar to rise and fall, it can lead to feelings of energy loss as well as severe mood swings. Processed foods are also dangerous, as they are often high in trans fat and unhealthy additives. These foods are quite draining to the human body, resulting in a noticeably worse mood.

There are several dietary steps that we can take in order to improve our moods. For example, eating a balanced breakfast is proven to have positive effects that go beyond mood improvement. Regularly eating breakfast can lead to higher levels of energy, as well as an improved memory. However, breakfast is not the only important meal. It is suggested that we eat balanced meals regularly in order to feel energized and in order to positively influence our mood. Keri Gans, an author and registered dietician, compares skipping out on meals to “trying to run a car without gas.”

Maybe there is such a thing as “good mood food” after all. However, I’m not so sure if unhealthy fast food such as Arby’s truly fits that description!