THE FOODS THAT COULD HELP PERK UP YOUR MOOD

When it comes to mental health, there is no such thing as a super-food. But there is some evidence that certain treats, eaten as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, may perk up your mental wellbeing.

Brazil nuts: Rich in selenium, they are an important micronutrient for the brain, which some studies suggest can ease anxiety.

Salmon: Or any other fatty fish, such as mackerel, sardines, trout or herring, which are all high in Omega-3, a fatty acid which appears to bolster mood.

Vitamin D: Otherwise known as the sunshine pill (since we get most of what we need from the sun’s rays during the summer), vitamin D supplements have been found to reduce the risk of depression and seasonal affective disorder.

Dark chocolate: It’s a good source of natural plant chemicals called polyphenols, which some studies suggest can boost blood flow and lower cell death in the brain, aiding mental health. Milk chocolate, however, has much lower quantities of the mood-altering compounds.

Bananas: They’re a mainstay of the popular “dopamine diet” as they contain the hormone found in the brain that controls mood. Other dopamine sources include eggs, beef, chicken, dairy products and nuts, such as almonds and walnuts. 11 per cent, while chocolate, music, TV and alcohol only managed one per cent. Photographs can act as a reminder of happy times, or pleasurable emotions, which can trigger activity in the brain that helps us recapture that very feeling we were experiencing at the time. The researchers say: “It’s far more beneficial than many traditional ways of unwinding and mood-boosting – and it’s certainly a lot better for you.”