THE MOOD-BOOSTING DIET

moods You’re just like all of a sudden furious for no reason.”

Fluctuating hormone levels before, during and after the menopause can play havoc with your life, affecting you physically and emotionally and even controlling how fast you age.

Maintaining the right balance of hormones is crucial for all-round health and wellbeing and the good news is that often a few simple lifestyle changes can be a big help. RESEARCH has shown that the right diet can ward off the blues. Foods that naturally boost serotonin levels, such as bananas, can improve mood while junk food and alcohol can increase levels of anxiety and depression. To keep your hormones in balance, pack your diet with these nutrient-rich foods. High quality beneficial fats such as flaxseed oil, coconut oil and avocados. Legumes including black beans, kidney beans and chickpeas contain natural phytoestrogens, that have a similar structure to oestrogen produced by your own body. Dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a feelgood endorphin that is often released when we fall in love. Walnuts contain L-arginine, which boosts blood circulation. This aids concentration and confidence levels.

Blueberries contain vitamin E, which helps regulate hormones.

Pumpkin seeds contain tryptophan, an amino acid essential for the production of serotonin.

Spinach is a good source of vitamin B6 and folate, which support the brain’s ability to produce serotonin.

Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium, which can ward off anxiety.

Oily fish such as sardines and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help regulate mood while boosting concentration levels.