Foods Rich In Tryptophan

The chemical state of our brain, largely determined by the secretion of neurotransmitters, directly affects our mood. These substances are directly responsible for maintaining a correct mental state and can be the solution to improve feelings, attitudes and fight diseases such as depression and anxiety. Given their importance, today we offer you a list of foods rich in tryptophan that can help in this regard.

Tryptophan is one of the most important amino acids. It is in charge of regulating functions such as sleep and, in addition, is a precursor of well-known neurotransmitters such as serotonin and melatonin. So let’s see how we can regulate it thanks to these tryptophan-rich foods .

Why eat foods rich in tryptophan?

The human body needs eight essential amino acids to function properly. These are substances that cannot be produced by our body and which, therefore, must be introduced through an adequate diet. In fact, tryptophan is the most difficult to obtain.

The problem is that it is also one of the most important. In addition to regulating the functions mentioned above, it has also been found to help fight the craving for unhealthy foods. On the other hand, it is believed that it is capable of protecting us against certain forms of cancer and heart problems.

Including  some tryptophan-rich foods in a healthful diet can significantly improve life. In this article, we will discuss and analyze each of the following tryptophan-rich foods:

• Egg.
• Meat and fish.
• Dairy product.

1. Eggs

Eggs are, for no reason whatsoever, one of the most maligned foods. Over the decades they have received bad publicity due to the association with high cholesterol levels. Nonetheless, recent studies claim that eating a lot of eggs is not only not bad, it has a very positive impact on our health.

One of the main reasons for this positive effect is that eggs contain all kinds of components that are beneficial to our body. Therefore, if only we had to choose one of the tryptophan-rich foods on the list, eggs would be the best option.

Be careful though. The greatest concentration of tryptophan is found in the yolk. Consuming egg white alone is not very effective in increasing the levels of this neurotransmitter in the body.

2. Meat and fish

There have been many revelations lately regarding the harmful effects of meat on our health. We base this data on a report published by the WHO in 2014 on the relationship between this food and certain cancers. Nonetheless, these results require a deeper analysis and refer to some foods of animal origin.

For example, red meats such as beef or pork in very large quantities appear to be the cause of some health problems. On the contrary, white meats such as chicken or turkey and fish, especially blue, have been shown to have predominantly positive effects for most people. Among the many positive effects we find the increase of tryptophan in the brain.

Regular consumption of white meats and blue fish helps maintain an ideal weight, lose fat and build muscle. In addition, we can regulate our mood and our desire to consume junk food. Including more of this type of meat in your diet is one of the best decisions we can make.

3. Dairy products

The last type of tryptophan-rich foods we look at are dairy products. Some people don’t tolerate them very well, but those who can consume these foods without negative consequences will find that they contain numerous health benefits.

Already in popular culture we find a close relationship between milk and tryptophan. Not for nothing is it a food that is recommended to help you sleep. This effect is due to the effects of the amino acid to fight insomnia.

It is important to understand, however, that simply taking these foods does not guarantee correct levels of tryptophan. It is essential to consume them as part of a balanced diet, as the production of the various neurotransmitters depends on many factors. In this case, for example, the body also needs the presence of magnesium and vitamin B6.

Nonetheless, consuming the foods on the list will help you increase your well-being and quality of life.