Keep calm and drink Kefir

Kefir + Tryptophan + Serotonin = Calm

Milk kefir is a rich source of the essential amino acid tryptophan (1)(2). Tryptophan is a key ingredient for the production of serotonin, a chemical that acts as a transmitter in the nervous system (3).

One of the core functions of Serotonin as a neurotransmitter is mood regulation (4). Serotonin promotes feelings of calm and relaxation. Raising serotonin levels in the brain is associated with lower anxiety and less symptoms of depression (5).

According to Lindseth et al (2014), “increasing dietary intake of tryptophan may affect depression and mood scores of healthy participants resulting in less depressive symptoms and better mood states when more tryptophan was present in their diet.”(5)

Highlights:

Consuming a high tryptophan diet has a positive affect on mood.
Milk kefir is a rich source of the essential amino acid tryptophan.

Sources:

1. Ahmed Z; Wang Y; Ahmad A; Khan S (2011) et al. Kefir and Health: A Contemporary Perspective. Taylor & Francis Online. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition Volume 53, 2013 – Issue 5.  Available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2010.540360?src=recsys (Accessed: 28 August 2017

2. Sehir Arslan (2014). A review: chemical, microbiological and nutritional characteristics of kefir. Taylor & Francis Online. CyTA – Journal of Food Volume 13, 2015 – Issue 3 .  Available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19476337.2014.981588?src=recsys (Accessed: 28 August 2017)

3. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database; CID=6305, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6305 (Accessed: 28 August 2017).

4. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database; CID=5202, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5202 (Accessed: 28 August 2017).

5. Lindseth G; Helland B; Caspers J (2014). The Effects of Dietary Tryptophan on Affective Disorders. NCBI. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2015 Apr; 29(2): 102–107. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4393508/ (Accessed: 28 August 2017).