Mood Boosting Ingredients

Deliver Functional Appeal

There are many ways through what we eat that can support improved mood and mental health in a time where excessive worry, anxiety, and stress affects each of us differently. These foods influence the way we feel and think. They are vital for healthy brain functioning, energy levels, contain behavior-modifying ingredients, and resonate with our emotions.^[1]Mintel: APAC: Ingredients to Watch in 2020 Foods like fatty fish, dark chocolate, fermented foods, bananas, oats, berries, coffee, etc., all contain functional compounds that help to support mood regulation and, in general, simply feel better.^[2]Healthline: 9 healthy Foods That Lift Your Mood. Written by Katey Davidson, MScFN, RD on February 5, 2020 — Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.D., L.D. www.healthline.com/nutrition/mood-food  But these foods are not always enjoyed by everyone, opening an opportunity for the single functional ingredients that make up these foods to be introduced to the consumer in new and innovative formats that allow for everyone to enjoy.

The Benefits of Functional Ingredients

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish such as salmon and tuna, are essential fats that must be consumed because the body cannot produce them alone. One review of clinical trials showed that consuming omega-3’s in the form of fish oil lowers depression scores.^[3]Yeonji Yang, et. al. Fish consumption and risk of depression: Epidemiological evidence from prospective studies. Asia Pac Psychiatry. 2018 Dec;10(4):e12335. Dark Chocolate contains health-promoting flavonoids, which have been shown to increase blood flow to your brain, reduce inflammation, and boost brain health, all of which may support mood regulation.^[4]Andrew Scholey, Lauren Owen. Effects of chocolate on cognitive function and mood: a systematic review. Nutr Rev. 2013 Oct;71(10):665-81. Fermented foods may improve mood since they are rich in probiotics that support gut health and could increase serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects many facets of human behavior, such as mood, stress response, appetite, and sexual drive.^[5]Jessica M Yano et. al. Indigenous bacteria from the gut microbiota regulate host serotonin biosynthesis. Cell. 2015 Apr 9;161(2):264-76. And up to 90% of your body’s serotonin is produced by your gut microbiome.^[6]Eoin Sherwin et al. A gut (microbiome) feeling about the brain. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2016 Mar;32(2):96-102. Bananas are high in vitamin B6, which helps synthesize feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.^[7]Peter T Clayton. B6-responsive disorders: a model of vitamin dependency. J Inherit Metab Dis. Apr-Jun 2006;29(2-3):317-26. Bananas and oats provide the fiber that can stabilize blood sugar levels and boost your mood. Other fruits and vegetables are linked to lower rates of depression because of the wide range of antioxidants and phenolic compounds found in these foods. One study associated a diet rich in anthocyanins (found in berries) with a 39% lower risk of depression symptoms.^[8]Justyna Godos et. al. Dietary Polyphenol Intake and Depression: Results from the Mediterranean Healthy Eating, Lifestyle and Aging (MEAL) Study. Molecules. 2018 Apr 24;23(5):999. Coffee, containing caffeine, and even decaf coffee provides numerous compounds such as chlorogenic acid that may boost your mood.^[9]Crystal F Haskell-Ramsay et. al. The Acute Effects of Caffeinated Black Coffee on Cognition and Mood in Healthy Young and Older Adults. Nutrients. 2018 Sep 30;10(10):1386. All of these functional compounds or ingredients are available as single ingredients to be used alone or in combination to develop healthier, more functional foods and beverages for consumers to enjoy and benefit from.

When feeling down or simply overwhelmed by the stressors around you, it is not always easy to “eat” enough of your feelings when these functional ingredients are available in their purified form and added to fortified foods & beverages for a concentrated, more enjoyable consumption experience with all the mood-boosting benefits. If you have further interest in learning more about functional ingredients that can support your mood, please contact your Batory Foods Representative.