5 Fruits And Vegetables That Have Sarotonin

With darker evenings in the peak of winter, the post-Christmas celebration blues begins to sink in. It’s important to treat your body well with the right nutrition and healthy diet. That’s why we’re here to remind you of all the serotonin rich foods you can be indulging in this month to help beat those January blues.

Serotonin is the key hormone in your body which effects and impacts your mood, happiness and general well-being. This hormone can impact your entire body and, in particular, enables your brain cells and other nervous system cells to communicate with each other. Serotonin also has links to sleeping, eating and digestion, which is why it is so important, especially in those colder, darker and gloomier winter months. There are many foods which are rich in serotonin like tofu, salmon and eggs, but also a variety of fruit and vegetables which are rich sources of it too.

# Pineapples

Pineapples have always been well known to contain serotonin. Some plants such as tomatoes increase in serotonin levels as they ripen, yet this is not the case with pineapple so be sure to indulge in this sweet fruit while they’re fresh! By eating pineapples every day, you can begin to increase your serotonin levels.

# Bananas

Bananas are also a fruit known to contain serotonin. Unlike other fruits, the serotonin found in bananas doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier, which means it can’t get into the brain to supplement the serotonin that’s naturally produced by the body. But bananas can provide an additional serotonin boost.

# Kiwis

Kiwis are rich in serotonin and antioxidants, both of which may improve sleep quality when eaten before a nap. Eating kiwis regularly can boost serotonin levels, it has also been suggested that eating two kiwifruits a day can actually boost your mood and make it more resilient to depression. This is according to researchers from the University of Otago, Christchurch (UOC) in New Zealand.

# Plums

Beautiful and fresh, succulent plums contain about five micrograms of serotonin per gram. Plums are also a good source of vitamin C, which is an immune system booster for those darker, colder winter months. Add some plums to your fruit salad this month to add in some extra serotonin to your diet.

# Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a great source of serotonin and ideal for getting your daily fix. Fresh tomatoes are the best way to heighten your bodies serotonin levels. Ensure you’re getting your daily dose of tomatoes by eating them fresh in a salad, or even making some bruschetta.