Feeling a bit down lately?

I think everyone is probably feeling a bit down right now but this is a good time to get your gut to help you out. Our amazing bacteria in our gut can play a part in the production of neurotransmitters that can influence our mood. One of these neurotransmitters that I’m sure you have all heard of is serotonin.

Serotonin is often called the happy chemical because it contributes to our happiness and well being. Serotonin is mainly found in our brain, bowels, and blood platelets and its production can be stimulated by several of our gut bacteria. Some of our gut bacteria produced short-chain fatty acids called butyrate and propionate which can stimulate the production of serotonin from cells in our gut.

So, how do we help them to do this?

You already know about prebiotics, as I love to talk about them, and how they are fermented in your gut by our amazing gut bugs. Well, certain foods contain the prebiotics that can help to increase the production of serotonin and they include:

Oats, green peas, potatoes, avocado, bananas, brown rice, wheat bran and peanuts.

Try to eat some of these every day to help your gut help you. You could make a lovely potato salad and put some green peas in it; make overnight oat; have peanuts for a snack and have brown rice fried rice with some more green peas for lunch or dinner.

Don’t forget, a healthy gut loves a variety of food. Your gut can help you stay healthy but you have to nurture it.