Avocados are a superfood for boosting your mood, and the food we eat directly impacts our mental health and well-being. They are a great, feel-good food with many benefits for mental health and overall mood. 

Why Avocados are a Superfood to Boost Your Mood

The average avocado also contains 4 grams of protein and is low in sugar and dietary fiber. Avocados are a superfood packed with vitamins, especially stress-relieving vitamins B and vitamin D. They also contain tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid that has a powerful impact on your food and mood, helping to balance hormones and the production of serotonin, the feel-good hormone. 

Avocados are a superfood loaded with omega-3 fatty acids too. Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve depression, and they can travel through the brain cell membrane and interact with mood-related molecules. 

Not to mention, avocados are rich in oleic acid, a fatty acid that provides numerous health benefits. A publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed that oleic acid produced in the brain is an essential regulator of the process that enables learning and memory and supports proper mood regulation. 

So, eat your avocados! I aim for a half to a whole avocado every day. There are many ways to eat avocados. Blend them in smoothies, mash them onto your favorite wrap, and add to soups and stews. 

The Best Way to Store Avocados so they Last Longer

Ripe avocados are best stored in the refrigerator to slow the ripening process. Keep them in the low-humidity crisper drawer of your fridge. They’ll last between two and three days when stored this way.

Want to learn more about nutrition and mental health? Check out these tips to boost your mood. 

Amy Fox of Food and Mood Lab
Avocado 2
Amy cutting vegetables