These three types of foods boost your mood in winter, according to experts

The night falls at 5 p.m., the cold sets in… The winter period can be as magical as it is depressing. We must admit, the desire to hibernate on our sofa never leaves us. If our joy of life and our good mood tend to fade during this gloomy season, it is not for nothing The reduction of sunlight limits the production of serotonin, “a chemical that helps regulate mood”, according to Amy Davis, RDN, registered dietitian and owner of Amy Davis Nutrition, at Health. Result: we suffer from seasonal affective disorder (ASD). But how can you cheer yourself up? We reveal everything to you.

Add probiotics to your diet

If we’re to believe Kristen Carli, registered dietitian and owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, we should start by adding foods rich in probiotics on his plate. These latter “influence the production of neurotransmitters and reduce inflammation associated with depression”. But that’s not all, they also help the proper development of intestinal bacteria beneficial to our body. “Probiotics in foods like yogurt, kimchi and kefir can support a healthy gut microbiome”she told Health.

Favor vitamin D

When the days get dull, it’s essential to “prioritize vitamin D”. According to Michelle DiBlasi, chief of hospital psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center, it’s an effective way to improve your mood in winter. And yes, without sunlight, we have less vitamin D, and therefore we can easily feel depressed… Fish like salmon and tunaor orange juice and almond milk are rich in vitamin D and can therefore do you good. On the other hand, “research shows that increasing vitamin D alone does not appear to be sufficient to treat ASD,” warns the expert.

Amy Davis, for her part, highlights foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids. “Oily fish, flax seeds and nuts. These foods support brain health and serotonin production.”she clarified. Omega-3s may reduce symptoms of depression, according to some studies. “A 2019 meta-analysis, for example, showed that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation of at least 60% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) at doses equal to or less than 1 gram per day reduced symptoms of depression”, can we read in the columns of Health.