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Eat your way to romance with these mood-enhancing foods

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Ruling more than just our energy levels, our diet has a direct affect on the mood we’re in.

Through purposeful eating we can harness the benefits of mood-boosting foods. From natural relaxants to healthy pick-me-ups, or for heightened sensuality — these mood-enhancers taste as good as they’ll make you feel.

For Happiness

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  • Raw chocolate – High in anandamide

  • Spinach – High in vitamin B

  • Asparagus – High in vitamin B

  • Papaya – High in vitamin B

Anandamide is the neurotransmitter that helps our brains temporarily block feelings of pain and depression. Taken from the Sanskrit word “ananda”, it means joy, bliss, or delight.

Long-standing studies have also show that vitamin B (folate) helps reduce symptoms of anxiety.

For Motivation

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  • Bananas – Slow energy release, high in vitamin B

  • Coffee – Speeds up metabolism

  • Brown rice – Slow energy release

  • Honey – High in antioxidants, slow energy release

Eat foods that promote vitality through slow energy release. Natural sugars, carbohydrates and measured amounts of caffeine should keep you up and at it.

For Romance

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  • Oysters – Contains hormone-inducing amino acids

  • Hot chillies – Stimulates endorphins

  • Avocados – High in vitamin E

  • Chocolate – High in anandamide

These foods are nature’s aphrodisiacs. They are proven to increase sexual stamina and they help the production of sexual hormones.

For Relaxation

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  • Chamomile tea – Contains apigenin

  • Almonds – High in vitamins B2 and E

  • Red wine – Contains melatonin

  • Milk – Contains tryptophan

Known for their calming abilities, these foods and drinks contain active properties such as tryptophan – to produce serotonin, a sleep inducing hormone as well as melatonin and apigenin, which act as a a mild sedative.

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