It’s no secret I’ve taken a keen interest in neurotransmitters and their role in mood, outlook and overall well being.  Part of this research has resulted in the addition of 5-Htp to my daily vitamin regimine.  Researching dopamine specifically led me to a great piece about dietary impacts to dopamine and serotonin, with an emphasis on foods that increase your natural production of both.

One of the top picks?  A longtime favorite of mine; bananas.

The reason why banana ranks as a top happy food is due to the great amount of tryptophan and tyrosine it contains. Both tryptophan and tyrosine are essential amino acids, i.e. we need acquire them from food intake because our body cannot produce it internally. They’re both precursors to “happy” neurotransmitters – serotonin and dopamine!

Other foods to consider:

Bananas, milk, chicken, turkey, and leafy green vegetables.
Read the whole article at Science Creative Quarterly