Food and Mood: How They Influence Each Other?

Article Summary

The article highlights how the food we eat Food our Mood Influence Each Other. Most of us look for comfort foods when we are stressed. This helps in improving our mood. The example mentioned in the article is that of Chocolate, which profoundly affects mood by increasing positive feelings due to the presence of psychoactive chemicals and amines in chocolate that greatly stimulates the brain and helps elevate mood. Similarly caffeine found in coffee and tea acts as a stimulant.

The article explains that the relationship between food and mood is bi-directional: food affects the person’s mood through physiological mechanisms, and the person’s mood plays a strong role in determining the choice of food. The craving for certain types of food, particularly sugar-rich food or food high in fat, can be brought about by stress, anxiety, or depression.

The application of this knowledge shows that mood disorders are often diagnosed with an accompanying eating disorder and Obesity is often accompanied by mood disorders such as major depressive disorder and increases the incidence of other mood disorders such as anxiety disorders. Obesity that is brought about by overeating suggests an addiction similar to drugs due to a physiological dependence on food rich in fat and carbohydrates

Therefore, in order to maintain one’s weight it is advised to be away from stress. The analysis of the bi-directional relationship between food choice and mood reveals a rather complicated system of signals and processes that can greatly influence a person’s quality of life and body weight. We still don’t fully understand how to use this knowledge to fight the obesity epidemic but it is likely that further research will reveal some new interesting approaches.