You have probably heard the saying “you are what you eat”. And according to statistics, it is true. This is because certain foods can actually negatively impact your mood. While other foods can boost it. Simply put, food like candy, white bread, burgers, and other processed meals and snacks can cause your blood sugar to spike. And what goes up must eventually come down. Meaning, after the spike, your blood sugar crashes, and this can lead to irritability, fatigue, and even anxiety.
So, it goes without saying, those foods are probably a no-no in your day-to-day diet. In recent years, the conversation around mental health has gone beyond therapy and medication. It now includes your overall lifestyle choices. Particularly in regards to what foods we put in our bodies.
And so many people around the globe are becoming more and more aware of the intricate connection between the gut and the brain. As a result, the demand for foods that can essentially support your mood is on the rise. These include functional ingredients like adaptogens, probiotics, and nootropics. Things like lion’s mane mushrooms and fermented foods.
Without further ado, here is our list of the best mood-boosting and feel-good ingredients on the market right now to potentially help you feel like a million bucks.
Adaptogens
The chances are that you may be thinking, what on earth are adaptogens? It is fairly simple. In short, adaptogens are natural substances from plants that help your body handle stress. One of the most popular ones is ashwagandha. It is a traditional herb used in Ayurvedic medicine (a traditional form of medicine from India that has been used for thousands of years).
Here is what is really interesting. According to a study in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, taking ashwagandha daily for up to 60 days significantly lowered stress and anxiety in adults. Whereas data from SPINS also showed that US sales of adaptogens grew by 37% between 2021 and 2023, with ashwagandha leading the way.
This just goes to show that reinventing the wheel is not always necessary. What has worked for thousands of years can work for you in 2025, too. Of course, you do not have to travel all the way to India to get your hands on this wellness-boosting ingredient. You can find ashwagandha in products like protein powders and sparkling drinks at most local pharmacies and supermarkets.
Probiotics & Fermented Foods
Feeding the mind via the microbiome is a big deal. This is due to the fact that probiotics (known as the “good” bacteria) help support your gut health. And by supporting your gut, these live microorganisms thus help maintain microbial balance and support both digestive and emotional health.
A meta-analysis in Psychiatry Research in 2023 reviewed 21 studies and arrived at the conclusion that probiotic supplementation was associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms decreases, particularly in participants with prior mood disorders. Since, interestingly enough, over 90% of the body’s serotonin, an extremely significant “feel-good” hormone, is produced in the gut.
As a result, fermented foods, such as yoghurt, kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut, and miso, have come to the limelight. In fact, a recent 2024 Innova Market Insights survey showed that 61% of international consumers are increasing consumption of fermented foods for the perceived benefits for digestive and mental health.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane does not refer to Mufasa’s luscious HAIR (because let us just be honest for a second, that would boost anybody’s mood). But rather, it refers to a large, white, shaggy mushroom that resembles a lion’s mane as it grows. These mushrooms contain bioactive substances that have many beneficial effects on the body, especially the brain, heart, and gut.
Among functional fungi, the lion’s mane mushroom (hericium erinaceus in scientific terms) is gaining popularity. It contains high levels of hericenones and erinacines, among other things. Also, it induces the release of the nerve growth factor (NGF), which improves neuroplasticity and brain function.
Most significantly, a study in Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience found that older adults who took lion’s mane extract for 12 weeks had clear enhancements in memory, attention, and overall brain function compared to those who took a placebo.
Not to be outdone, lion’s mane has become so popular in recent years that it’s now being included in a number of coffees, teas, chocolate bars, and other cognitive support supplements.
Putting It All Together
Did you know that about 90% of the body’s serotonin (a chemical that helps regulate mood) is made in the gut? It is no wonder your diet has such a big influence on the way you feel. A healthy gut, filled with a variety of good bacteria, has been linked to lower levels of anxiety and depression.
As more and more people are starting to learn about this vital connection, they are giving a second thought as to what they are putting into their bodies. Now focusing on choosing foods that support mental well-being over those that do not.
