Mood-enhancing chemicals are no longer in the confines of medical research papers. The brains have announced what is actually good for the brain to keep it on high octane. So, if you feel hit by an all-time low, resort to naturally occurring tryptophan (that gets converted to serotonin, the mood-enhancing chemical) sources, with our list of top 10  food containing tryptophan and keep your grey cells ticking.

So how does tryptophan work? Tryptophan is an amino acid, which gets converted into the feel-good chemical called Serotonin. The human body is not  capable to produce the chemical and so it is imperative to include tryptophan containing foods in our daily diet. Carbohydrates are a natural supplement for Tryptophan as they help in the amino acid’s absorption by the brain.
Here is how you can provide the fodder for your brain by increasing its serotonin levels through an adequate intake of tryptophan, and also keep symptoms of depression, anxiety, and IBS(Irritable bowel syndrome) at bay.
The top 10 tryptophan containing foods include-
•    Mung beans : These green beans are of Asian origin and are high in proteins. Tryptophan is amply  supplied by this protein –rich source.
•    Oats  : High-fiber carbohydrate with a low glycaemic index, oats can do wonders to your body and brain as well.
•    Turkey : As a high-protein food, turkey with  cranberry sauce on rye bread can really pump up levels of serotonin in the brain, as it is a good source of tryptophan.
•    Bananas : Bananas have also been associated with uplifting-moods, as it contains a high content of tryptophan. In the form of a milkshake or as a dessert, bananas can bring your brain to the sedate level and even help in inducing deep sleep.
•    Spinach : The Green-leafy wonder apart from bearing the wholesome goodness of nature also brings to your body, health on a platter. Vitamin, mineral-rich spinach can indeed work on your body in layers(physical to psychological) as tryptophan is yet another hidden resource in this nutritious vegetable , which gains a place in the top 10  food containing tryptophan.
•    Tofu  : High in protein, the soy-make cheese brings out dual-benefit -delivering protein-rich supplements to your body and the brain-builder chemical tryptophan.
•    Buckwheat : Of the carbohydrate-rich foods, buckwheat contains a high level of trytophan and is enriched with B- Vitamins, which have testified by research as an important ‘co-factor’ in the adequate synthesis of  serotonin.
•    Cottage cheese :  This variant of cheese is used in a mélange of delicacies . If this is your favorite , then it’s a must-include in your diet as it is one of the top 10 food containing tryptophan.
•    Flax seeds : Most of the brain’s structural composition are fatty-acid cells along a chain of omega 3 fatty acids. Flax seeds contain a high amount of tryptophan and omega-3 fatty acids. Eating 4-5 flax seeds a day or 3-4 teaspoons of flax seed oil, helps to alleviate your mood drastically.
•    Pineapple: If eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away then it could be well said that eating   ‘a pineapple a day keeps the pining away’ for the lovesick. Yes if the pining borders on bringing you down to a low-mood then tryptophan-rich pineapple will come to your rescue in boosting the energy levels of your brain and re-channeling your energy more constructively.
The human body’s optimal functioning is in the mind and vice-versa. The underlying brain(as the chief co-coordinator of all body activities) with a zillion duties to discharge, better be kept in ‘high-spirit’ ; if you want your mind, body and spirit to work in unison. Our top 10  food containing tryptophan just helps you do that!

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