{"id":112632,"date":"2025-05-18T20:58:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-18T20:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/112632\/"},"modified":"2025-05-18T20:58:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-18T20:58:12","slug":"5-vegetables-that-can-actually-make-you-happier-according-to-health-experts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/112632\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Vegetables That Can Actually Make You Happier, According to Health Experts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.realsimple.com\/power-vegetables-11731203\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Vegetables;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Vegetables<\/a> are a controversial topic\u2014some people love them, others loathe them. But if everyone knew that consuming certain vegetables could actually make you happier, there\u2019d be less hostility towards the food group. \u201cIn short, healthy diets that are high in whole foods with many nutrients have been shown to improve our mental health, including our mood,\u201d says Liz Weinandy, RDN, registered dietitian. \u201cOn the flipside, eating foods high in sugar and saturated fats like many ultra-processed foods contain, has been shown to cause stress and inflammation in our bodies including our brains.\u201d To help you shortlist a few vegetables that can lift your spirits, we asked dietitians for their favorite mood-boosting veggies.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wexnermedical.osu.edu\/mediaroom\/expertslisting\/liz-weinandy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Liz Weinandy;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>Liz Weinandy<\/strong><\/a>, RDN, registered dietitian and instructor of practice in medical dietetics at The Ohio State University\u2019s Wexner Medical Center<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/amy-brownstein-ms-rdn-09897465\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Amy Brownstein;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>Amy Brownstein<\/strong><\/a>, MS, RDN, plant-based dietitian and consultant for MyNetDiary<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>5 Vegetables That Can Make You HappierSpinach<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.realsimple.com\/health-benefits-of-spinach-7152107\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Spinach;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Spinach<\/a> is a leafy green that \u201ccontain[s] a mix of B vitamins that boost mood,\u201d says Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN, plant-based dietitian. \u201cB vitamins like thiamin, niacin, pyridoxine, folate, and vitamin B12 help produce mood-related neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. Additionally, <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33848753\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:B vitamins;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">B vitamins<\/a> support DNA synthesis and help maintain brain cell membranes\u2014essential for healthy brain function and mood stability.\u201d So the next time you\u2019re trying to beat the Sunday scaries, consider adding spinach to the meal you\u2019re making.<\/p>\n<p>Onions<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">While <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.realsimple.com\/health\/nutrition-diet\/are-onions-good-for-you\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:onions;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">onions<\/a> might make you cry, they can also boost your mood. Although research is limited, <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/18175926\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:certain studies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">certain studies<\/a> have found that onion powder can have anti-depressant-like effects on the brain. Additionally, onions are high in <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8783887\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:vitamin C;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">vitamin C<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9577631\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:vitamin B6;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">vitamin B6<\/a>, both of which have been scientifically proven to boost mood and suppress depressive and anxious feelings. Plus, the smell of saut\u00e9ed onions is enough to make you smile.<\/p>\n<p>Peppers<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.realsimple.com\/are-spicy-chili-peppers-good-for-you-7368535\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Peppers;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Peppers<\/a> are \u201cvery high in vitamin C\u2014even more than citrus fruits,\u201d Weinandy says. <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9655525\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Research has shown;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Research has shown<\/a> that eating spicy foods can have positive psychological effects, specifically due to its vitamin C and capsaicin content. Some research even suggests that capsaicin can work as an endorphin, or those feel-good hormones you experience after working out or spending time with friends.<\/p>\n<p>Carrots<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.realsimple.com\/health\/nutrition-diet\/health-benefits-of-carrots\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Carrots;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Carrots<\/a> are packed with carotenoids, the pigment that gives it its orange color. Carotenoids have <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3539819\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:been associated with;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">been associated with<\/a> a higher level of optimism, making carrots an excellent choice for a mood-boosting vegetable. Plus, they can be prepared in a variety of ways\u2014snack on them with hummus, shred them into your salads, or roast a batch and serve them as a side dish.<\/p>\n<p>Legumes<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cStudies have shown that following a Mediterranean-style diet\u2014rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes\u2014is associated with lower rates of depression and improved mood,\u201d Weinandy says. You can add legumes to almost any healthy dish: salads, soups, stir-fry, or even on their own. And it doesn\u2019t hurt that legumes are also excellent for your digestive health, making it a superfood in the world of mood-boosting vegetables.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realsimple.com\/anti-inflammatory-foods-11684448\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:19 Anti-Inflammatory Foods Health Experts Want You to Eat More Often;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">19 Anti-Inflammatory Foods Health Experts Want You to Eat More Often<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realsimple.com\/mood-boosting-vegetables-11735996\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Real Simple;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Real Simple<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Vegetables are a controversial topic\u2014some people love them, others loathe them. But if everyone knew that consuming certain&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":112633,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4318],"tags":[51056,105,51055,4434,16,15,24573],"class_list":{"0":"post-112632","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-amy-brownstein","9":"tag-health","10":"tag-liz-weinandy","11":"tag-nutrition","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom","14":"tag-vegetables"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114530845011603304","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112632","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112632"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112632\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}