Top five foods for fighting depression

(NaturalNews) Depression can catch up with the best of us. There will be down days where you're simply not feeling it at all. People tend to have different techniques in handling depression. One of the most common ways people do it is by eating. The surprising fact is this: you can actually combat depression and its effects by eating! There are five particular foods capable of perking up your mood in a healthy way. Try these five and you can lose depression and its symptoms such as lack of energy and mood swings.

The top 5 foods for depression

1. Eggs

The versatile egg is known to be one of the most nutritious foods around pound-for-pound. The egg, most especially the yolk, comes packed with B-vitamins. These vitamins are clinically proven to reduce the symptoms of depression, because they are capable of enhancing neural functions. If the nerves are functioning well, you can expect yourself to feel good. Eggs can be eaten by themselves or they can be mixed with other ingredients to create omelets and other dishes.

2. Fish

You might have already seen in advertisements why fish is considered brain food. This may sound like a mere sales pitch, but it is actually backed by scientific facts. Fish, especially those that live in cold and deep waters, such as salmons, tunas, mackerels, and sardines, have an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids. This healthy fat is directly linked to improved brain function, because omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are building blocks of the brain's gray matter. Plus, the meat of these fishes contains protein that stabilizes blood sugar.

3. Nuts and seeds

Seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower and nuts such as cashews and almonds are known to contain high amounts of magnesium. This mineral can boost a person's mood in two different ways. It improves overall energy production and also stimulates the production of serotonin, a well-known natural relaxant. They also contain healthy fats and proteins that can boost nerve health and promote blood sugar stability.

4. Green tea

Green tea is considered a health phenomenon, and for good reason. And now, it is also linked to the improvement of nervous health. Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which helps in stimulating the creation of alpha brain waves. The stimulation of such brain waves can provide a calming effect while improving focus. And because L-theanine gets easily absorbed, the effects on mood are immediate.

5. Ancient grains

Grains such as millet, amaranth, and barley are known to have more complex carbohydrates than their modern counterparts such as wheat, corn, and rice. Because they take longer to digest, it doesn't cause the dips in blood sugar often observed with the consumption of traditional grains. And with more stable blood sugar levels, moods tend to be more stable as well.

These five foods prove that eating can be an answer to depression and mood swings. Not only are they healthy options, but they can also make for some really yummy dishes. Of course, the consumption of these foods should still be within dietary reason so as to prevent other health problems.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.everydayhealth.com

http://www.prevention.com

http://www.healthmeup.com