10 Best Foods That Can Beat Back Winter Blues

By Chandana Rao

Friday, January 5, 2018, 16:13

As we may all have experienced, the coldest time of the year is here and while some of us enjoy this weather, the rest of us may not be fans of the winter, right?

Just like how different people have different preferences with lifestyle choices, we all have preferences with weather conditions too and that is normal.

What may not be normal is the fact that some people getting depressed or experiencing constant low moods during the winters, without any apparent cause!

Yes, this condition is very real and is quite serious, when not recognized - it is called the "winter blues" or, seasonal mood disorder.

A number of research studies have been conducted on this ailment and experts opine that the steep drop in temperatures could reduce the production of the serotonin hormone in some people, resulting in seasonal mood disorders in winter, with no triggering factors.

There are a few foods which can help reduce "winter blues" by allowing the brain to produce more serotonin, naturally.

So, have a look at these 10 foods which are good for the "winter blues"!

1. Spinach

Spinach, is a popular leafy green, which contains a whole load of powerful nutrients, which is why spinach has so many health benefits. Iron and calcium are some of the main nutrients found in spinach; however, spinach also contains folic acid, which can nourish your brain cells and maintain the serotonin balance, to help reduce "winter blues".

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2. Oats

Oats are the go-to foods for health and fitness-conscious people, as it enables them to be more energetic during their workouts and also aids weight loss. The nutrients found in oats can also help reduce seasonal mood disorders, as they can boost the blood circulation in the brain to stimulate serotonin production.

3. Ginger

Ginger is yet another herbal ingredient found in every kitchen which has amazing medicinal properties and can treat a number of ailments. According to many traditional forms of medicines, ginger contains certain enzymes which can increase the serotonin levels in the brain to treat "winter blues".

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4. Avocado

Avocados are super fruits, which have gained popularity lately for their numerous health benefits. Avocados are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy fats necessary to keep the brain healthy and well-nourished. So, avocados can also help fight seasonal mood disorder.

5. Tomato

Tomatoes are also extremely helpful for reducing "winter blues", as they contain an enzyme known as lycopene, which can trigger the production of healthy levels of serotonin in the brain. So, consuming fresh tomato juice during winters can help.

6. Eggs

Yet another healthy breakfast food, eggs come loaded with protein, potassium and other such essential nutrients which can keep a person healthy and fit. The protein content in eggs can improve the production of neurotransmitters in the brain and keep "winter blues" away.

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7. Cashew Nuts

As we may already know, nuts are exceptionally healthy, especially cashews, as they are loaded with a number of nutrients. A number of research studies have stated that the healthy fats present in cashew nuts can treat depression and even seasonal mood disorders effectively.

8. Beans

Beans, or rajma, are healthy foods which are extremely rich in protein content. And just like how protein in the eggs can help nourish your brain cells and improve serotonin production, the protein in beans also has the similar effect to treat "winter blues".

9. Parsley

Parley is yet another leafy green which comes with a number of health benefits, including weight loss, diabetes management, etc. Also, parsley is rich in vitamin B, so it has the ability to improve the production of serotonin in the brain to treat seasonal mood disorder and also memory problems.

10. Dark Chocolate

We already know that chocolate can make most of us happy! There is a scientific reason behind this, apart from its great taste, specifically when it comes to dark chocolate. The rich antioxidants present in dark chocolate can boost your mood and prevent "winter blues", as it can boost the blood flow to the brain.