10. Enhances Your Mood
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that the body cannot produce by itself. It’s therefore essential that we get it from our diet, hence it being known an ‘essential’ amino acid. Tryptophan helps the body manufacture a hormone called serotonin, otherwise known as one of our ‘happy hormones’.
Serotonin helps us relax, improves our mood and can help to reduce mild anxiety. So it certainly lives up to its happy hormone moniker. And yes, you’ve guessed it, bananas are rich in tryptophan, which helps us produce mood-boosting serotonin!
Studies have found that tryptophan and serotonin could also be linked to the level of good bacteria in the gut. Which as this study demonstrated in 2016 in the journal Nutrients, could be influential over our mood and cognitive function.
Summary:
Bananas are a good dietary source of the amino acid tryptophan, which the body uses to manufacture serotonin, the hormone that helps us feel happier and less anxious.
Also Read: 8 Healthy Breakfast Smoothie Recipes
