By Josephine Agbonkhese

Anyone who has ever found comfort in certain foods after a tough day, knows that food can impact your mood in both positive and negative ways.

Some foods may result in mood swings, fatigue, sleep disturbances and inflammation, leading to feelings of sluggishness and depression. On the flip side, others can improve your mental health and overall mood. Here are a few.

Dark chocolate
This is a major mood booster. Dark chocolate is high in tryptophan, a precursor for serotonin, the chemical messenger in the brain associated with brain health and improved mood. Dark chocolate with 85% cocoa content also improves gut health.

Cheese
Cheese contains certain chemicals including tryptophan and casein, which have been proven to improve your mood. Some studies have even shown that tryptophan can help to manage depression, stress, and anxiety– and that it could be as effective as light therapy.

Bananas
Bananas are high in vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 has been associated with an improvement in anxiety. Studies have suggested that vitamin B6 increases the production of GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), a neurotransmitter which promotes a feeling of calmness.

Tea
The physical warmth from a cup of tea or even the actual art of making the tea, can bring comfort.
Black tea contains caffeine which can increase your energy levels and herbal teas like peppermint tea can aid digestion, helping you feel settled after a meal. Tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which increase levels of GABA, to reduce stress.

Berries
Eating more fruits and vegetables is linked to lower rates of depression.
A diet generally rich in antioxidants may help manage inflammation associated with depression and other mood disorders. Berries pack a wide range of antioxidants and phenolic compounds, which play a key role in combatting oxidative stress.