A YOGURT STATE OF MIND
Your body plays host to thousands of types of bacteria. The gastrointestinal tract alone is a remarkable ecosystem, filled with millions upon millions of microscopic organisms. These organisms play a key role in your ability to digest and process nutrients. But they also play another important role that’s not so obvious: They influence your mood and the way you think.
observed the effects of specific probiotics on humans. Over a 30-day period, they noted a decrease in the signs of depression and anxiety.
Many more studies are currently underway. The future of probiotics for the brain is promising. As we learn more about the connection between the gut and the brain, we may even be able to treat specific psychological conditions using probiotics. For now, though, if you want to boost your mood, reach for the yogurt. Just be sure to skip the sugar-laden processed stuff. Go straight for a high-quality Greek yogurt or, if you can find it, an Icelandic-style yogurt called skyr.
Researchers are studying the “how” behind the connection, but they suspect it has something to do with the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve is a major nerve that connects the brain and stomach. Bacterial activity in the gut may stimulate the nerve, causing it to produce chemicals in the brain that can change your state of mind. Probiotics — a helpful type of bacteria — are abundant in Greek yogurt and other cultured foods, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha. When you eat these foods, the cultures they contain may be able to influence your mood. If you need a mood booster, yogurt might help. Studies in both mice and humans show promising results. In one Caltech study, researchers observed a decrease in anxiety in mice given certain probiotics. In another study published in The British Journal of Nutrition, researchers
Both varieties are packed with helpful probiotics and may help you change your state of mind.
BRAIN WORK
SAUTÉED ZUCCHINI AND SQUASH WITH FETA
INGREDIENTS
•
1 zucchini
•
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
•
1 summer squash
•
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
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1/2 medium red onion
•
Salt and pepper to taste
•
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
DIRECTIONS
1.
Cut zucchini into 1/4-inch-thick semicircles. Dice onion. Heat a large skillet to medium high. Add olive oil, onion, and thyme. Once onion is soft (about 2 minutes), add zucchini and squash. Season
with salt and pepper; cook 4–5 minutes until squash barely begins to caramelize.
2.
4.
Place in serving bowl and top with feta.
BLOOMING MAYO EMERALD GARDENING
GEMINI LILY MAY DAY MOTHERS DAY
NIGHTINGALE SPRING TAURUS WARM
3.
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