Some foods indirectly affect the production of serotonin (the happiness hormone) because they contain tryptophan, an essential amino acid from which this neurotransmitter is made in the body.
According to experts, serotonin contributes to mood regulation and is an important element in mental health, but they emphasize that diet only indirectly affects its levels and is not the sole determining factor.
Healthline notes that the body cannot produce tryptophan, so it must be obtained from food. Key sources include eggs, dairy products, soy, fish, nuts and seeds, and turkey meat.
Eggs: Egg whites contain proteins that may raise tryptophan levels in blood plasma, while the yolk provides important nutrients such as choline and omega-3 fatty acids.
Dairy products, especially hard cheeses, are rich in this amino acid.
Plant-based sources, such as tofu and other soy products, provide tryptophan even with reduced consumption of animal protein.
Fish: such as salmon, which are characterized by containing omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and tryptophan.
Nuts and seeds: are an important source of tryptophan and healthy fats.
Turkey: It is considered a complete protein containing all the essential amino acids.
Experts point out that combining foods rich in tryptophan and carbohydrates may temporarily increase its availability in the body, but the effect of this on serotonin levels remains limited.
They also emphasize that there are other factors that affect serotonin production besides diet, such as physical activity, sun exposure, and the health of the gut microbiome.
