Have you ever remembered a meal that was so delicious that it made you happy?

So, here's a sweet truth: food is the ultimate happy potion.

In line with the International Day of Happiness on 20 March 2024, it turns out that our brains are quite the foodies! 

According to the National Nutrition Council (NNC), research suggests that what we eat, shapes our bodies and how we think, and making "healthy" choices, such as eating fruits and vegetables, benefits both physical and mental health.

“What we eat nourishes not only our bodies but also our minds and emotions. Healthy eating boosts our happy hormones and helps relieve stress. Eating nutritious foods promotes positive mood and emotional balance, making us feel good about ourselves leaving us with happiness and satisfaction that come with every bite,” said NNC-NCR Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Federizo.

“According to Harvard Health, serotonin or the chemical that regulates sleep and appetite, mediate moods, and inhibits pain is produced in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. When we eat unhealthy foods, especially processed foods and those that contain chemical additives, it can affect our gut environment, lessens serotonin production and increases our risk of diseases. In simpler terms, eating healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables will make our gut healthy and in turn will make us happy,” Federizo added.

Eating healthy foods can make us happy and feel well – inside and out.

As much as we want to drink milk tea or eat cake every day, think twice before feeding yourself—it needs an excellent and healthy treat to function efficiently!

Did you know your stomach is like a serotonin factory, producing 90 percent of the 'happy hormone'? Yes, it's not only about consuming; the digestive system also has mood-boosting power too!

Feeling blue? Time to eat these mood-boosting foods:

Dark chocolate has three magic ingredients: tryptophan, theobromine, and phenylethylalanine. Tryptophan boosts serotonin production, theobromine boosts your mood and phenylethylalanine? That's your brain's ticket to a dopamine rush, called a quick mood boost!

Opt for purchasing dark chocolate with 70 percent cacao or higher. Because dark chocolate typically contains additional carbohydrates and fats, limit your intake to 1-3 grams (g) to enjoy the benefits without consuming too much.

These yellow wonders are high in vitamin B6, the ultimate happiness booster, which helps your brain produce feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.

A large banana (136 grams) has 16 grams of sugar and 3.5 grams of fiber.

When combined with fiber, sugar enters your system more gradually, resulting in stable blood sugar levels and improved mood. Anxiety and mood fluctuations might result from low blood sugar.

Coffee is the beverage that leads the world in popularity, but its benefits go beyond buzz—it's a happiness booster!

Coffee's caffeine prevents adenosine, the chemical that causes sleepiness, from blocking brain receptors, keeping you alert and focused.

And that's not all at all! Dopamine and norepinephrine, two feel-good neurotransmitters, are also increased in the brain by coffee. So, sip your way to a brighter day with a cup of joy.

Fermented foods and beverages, such as kimchi, yogurt, and kombucha, are not only delicious but also beneficial to the stomach and mood!

These foods undergo fermentation, a process that converts carbohydrates into acids and alcohol by living microorganisms. It produces probiotics, the tiny superheroes that support the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut.

Furthermore, they may even boost your serotonin levels. 

International Day of Happiness is a global event arranged by the United Nations annually on March 20. It serves to remind us that being happy is a human right and worth celebrating — and if you’re not already happy on this day, the celebrations may change that!

Happiness, however, depends not just on what's on our plates but also on how we eat it. Eating mindfully, taking your time to savor every bite, and enjoying meals with those you love may all help to enhance the experience of dining and promote a stronger sense of contentment and connection.

Let's honor the connection between happiness and a healthy diet this International Day of Happiness. We create the foundation for a happier, more fulfilling life by giving priority to healthy meals that feed our bodies and uplift our spirits. So let's toast to good health, joy, and savoring the small things in life. Cheers to a healthy body and a joyful spirit! (GLDG/PIA-NCR)

Sources: National Nutrition Council

Healthline.com