Ice cream contains an amino acid that reduces aggressiveness in a bad mood
According to a recent study from the University of Maryland Medical Center, ice cream contains tryptophan, an amino acid that calms us and reduces aggressiveness, increasing the production of serotonin, also called the well-being hormone.
That helps fight stress, relax and sleep better.
On the other hand, Jane Jakubczak, a dietitian at the University of Maryland, has shown that we choose certain foods according to our mood, guided by what is known as the “emotional appetite.”
When we’re happy, we tend to opt for a large grilled beef steak or pizza; the feeling of sadness drives us to eat ice cream and cookies; and in the face of boredom, we usually get crammed with chips.
Now, when serotonin levels go down we feel distressed, sad, sleep badly, certain obsessive tendencies may even appear, and those states encourage us to eat sweets because our brain is looking for tryptophan – an essential amino acid that is obtained through of food –– necessary to regulate serotonin.
The experts give us a series of nutritional advice in certain situations:
– In a stress situation, consume sesame seeds.
– Faced with restlessness, popcorn before bedtime.
– Faced with states of decay, grilled fish, clams or sushi.
– Facing insecurity, chocolate.
– In the face of confusion or bad memory, red fruits.