How does what you eat affect your mood?

New research investigates how what you eat affects your mood and how what we eat should change as we grow. Lina Begdache, an assistant professor at Binghamton University, conducted an anonymous Internet survey along with other researchers. Asked people around the world to complete the Food Mood Questionnaire (FMQ).

Division by age

This included questions about different food groups that have been associated with different aspects of neurochemistry and neurobiology. By analyzing the data, they discovered that the mood of young adults (18-29) appears to depend on foods that help generate new neurotransmitters in the brain (meat). And mood in adults (over 30 years) may depend more on foods that have antioxidants (fruits) and abstaining from foods that inappropriately activate the sympathetic nervous system (coffee, high glycemic index, and skipping breakfast). “One of the main discoveries is that diet affects the mental health of young adults differently than adults,” Begdache said. “The mood of young adults also appears to be sensitive to the accumulation of chemicals. Regular meat consumption leads to the accumulation of serotonin and dopamine, which help improve mood. In other words, young adults who ate meat (red or white) less than three times a week and exercised less than three times a week, showed significant mental distress.” “In contrast, adult mood appears to be more sensitive to regular consumption of sources of antioxidants and abstinence from foods that inappropriately activate the innate stress response,” Begdache added. “With aging, there is an increase in the formation of free radicals (oxidants). So our need for antioxidants increases. Oxidants cause disorders in the brain. Additionally, our ability to regulate stress decreases. So if we consume foods that activate the stress response, we are more likely to experience mental problems. Like coffee and too many carbohydrates.”

Gender difference

Begdache and his team are also interested in comparing dietary intake between men and women. There is a gender difference in brain morphology that may also be sensitive to diet and needs to be investigated. Super important information to know what we prioritize in what we eat 🙂