Banana contains compounds that promote the synthesis of serotonin. Eat a banana at breakfast to naturally increase the synthesis of serotonin. Banana supports good mood, keeps us calm, and fights depression!
Banana increases serotonin levels
Banana is rich in serotonin. But, serotonin in banana doesn’t cross the blood–brain barrier.[1]
Actually, banana can help the body synthesize serotonin, as it contains many necessary compounds for its synthesis. Above all, banana is an excellent source of tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is key for the synthesis of serotonin.[2]
Other foods high in tryptophan are turkey, whole milk, chocolate, peanuts, oats, and wheat bread. As there are many foods high in tryptophan, most people consume more than enough.
In addition, high amounts of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron are necessary for the synthesis of serotonin.[3,4] Banana helps the body to synthesize serotonin, as it’s a great source of vitamin B6 and folic acid.
As vitamin B12 deficiency is pretty common, you may need to take vitamin B12 from supplements for increased levels of serotonin.
What’s the best time to eat a banana for increased serotonin synthesis?
The best time to eat a banana in order to help the body produce serotonin is at breakfast. Eating a meal high in carbs at breakfast boosts the synthesis of serotonin! Bananas are mainly carbs. A medium banana contains about 14 grams of sugars and 6 grams of starch.
Also, a great time to eat a banana for increased synthesis of serotonin is after a workout! The body has increased insulin sensitivity after exercise, which is beneficial for serotonin synthesis.
You can see how to increase serotonin levels naturally here.
Serotonin in banana improves your mood
Serotonin is the key hormone that regulates our mood, happiness, and anxiety. Moreover, serotonin helps us feel more focused, happier, and calmer. On the contrary, low levels of serotonin may lead to depression.[5]
High levels of vitamin D are also important for good mood and for fighting depression.
Additionally, serotonin regulates appetite, body temperature, sexual behavior, and sleep! So, serotonin can help us lose weight.
