Bananas at bedtime (and other good mood foods!)

I was doing a bit of research on health afternoon snacks after having a serving of sliced banana with coconut yogurt and cinnamon a moment ago and I came across the following information.

Believe it or not, (bananas) are actually good late night snack….. A 2012 study in the Journal of Pineal Research found that eating bananas increased melatonin levels  – the hormone that controls our sleep-wake cycle. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps the body produce the feel-good neurotransmitter, serotonin, the precursor to melatonin. Bananas are a good late night snack and the perfect way to hit the sack!

Tryptophan and Glutamine are important brain foods according to Mike Dow author of the book Heal Your Drained Brain : Naturally Relieve Anxiety, Combat Insomnia, and Balance Your Brain in just 14 days. As mentioned above, tryptophan helps your brain to form serotonin with the help of co-factors folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, zinc and magnesium.

Tryptophan is found in :

Chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, pistachios, cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, cheese, buckwheat, wheat bran, wheat germ, quinoa, beans, salmon, cod, perch, meat, eggs, granola, milk, yogurt, chocolate, banana, avocado and tamarind.

Glutamine is the amino acid precusor to one of your body’s main brain soothing chemicals, GABA. Like other amino acids it is involved in protein synthesis. By eating whole foods containing amino acids as part of a healthy well balanced diet,including the co factors magnesium and Vitamin B6, you will bring your body and nervous system back into a blissful balance

Glutamine is found in :

Beef, chicken, pork, fish, eggs, beans, cabbage, kale, parsley, beets, Brussel sprouts, dairy, milk, quinoa, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, seeds, peanut butter.

Magnesium is found in:

Broccoli, squash, spinach, beets, greens, Collard greens, Swiss chard, cashews, almonds, sesame seeds, black beans, coffee, salmon, halibut.

B6 is found in

Carrots, spinach, peas, bananas, sunflower seeds, pistachios, lentils, chickpeas, salmon, shrimp, turkey, beef, pork, milk.

Folate is found in :

Spinach, Brussel sprouts, kale, romaine, mushrooms, asparagus, bananas, melons, Swiss chard, broccoli, lentils, black beans, kidney beans, black eyed peas.

Vitamin C can be found in:

Red and yellow bell peppers, chilli peppers, papaya, guava, kale, strawberries, rasberries, oranges, melons, tangerine, grapefruit, black currants, apricots, plums, parsley, kiwi, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, limes, tomatoes, garlic, pineapple, lychees and elderberries.

Doing all we can to help our brain and gut is important.. Adding some of these foods to your diet in the right combinations can be doing yourself a big favor.