"You Are What You Eat”: To What Extent is This True?

 by Annika Bright

Although the significance of nutrition is fairly obvious with regards to human behaviours and emotions, the hidden processes that occur in the brain, on a cellular basis are abundant. Moreover, these processes aid research areas of mental health, in addition to the fact that incorporating certain biological molecules as well as micronutrients¹ (specifically, antioxidants) execute a mood regulation role within the brain and may have a substantial positive effect. Therefore, although research supporting the question posed is extensive, the focus of the argument will lie on the cellular effects of diet on the brain. 

Neurotransmitters carry out a vital role in the stability of cognitive health through the movement of the chemicals throughout the brain’s neural synapses following an action potential³. Once the vesicle is released from one neurone, the chemical signal is carried onto receptors on the next neurone, which results in a neural response. As an example, the monoamine, Serotonin, is a neurotransmitter that is known for its expansive role in mood regulation and the brain’s “rewards” system⁴ and therefore, by consumption of the amino acid, tryptophan, serotonin can be synthesized⁵.There is much supporting evidence surrounding this concept as it has been identified that “better mood was associated with higher blood serotonin levels”⁶. Although this is the case, the subjectivity of mood and emotion could be a limitation as to whether or not serotonin may actually be effective in more extreme examples such as in depression. 

Overall, there is substantial evidence to suggest that as matter of fact, we are affected by what we consume and these factors can lead to mood changes as well as improvements for cognitive function. Furthermore, to prevent cognitive decline, these findings could aid future generations without the use of medication.  

Footnotes 

¹M.Briguglio, B.Del’Osso, G.Panzica, A.Malgaroli, G.Banfi, C.Dina, R.Galentino and M.Porta, “Dietary Neurotransmitters: A Narrative Review on Current Knowledge”, Nutrients, 10(5):591 (2018) 

²S.Gillette-Guyonnet, M.Secher and B.Vellas, “Nutrition and Neurodegeneration: epidemiological evidence and challenges for future research”, British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 75(3) 739 (2013)    

³J.Speller, “Neurotransmitters - Mechanism of Action”, TeachMe Physiology, (2018)  

⁴M.Berger, J.Gray, B.Roth, “The Expanded Biology of Serotonin”, HHS Author Manuscripts, 60: 356 (2009) 

⁵T.Jenkins, J.Nguyen, K.Polglaze and P.Bertrand, “Influence of Tryptophan and Serotonin on Mood and Cognition with a Possible Role of the Gut-Brain Axis”, Nutrients, 8(1): 56, (2016) 

⁶E.Williams, B.Stewart-Knox, A.Helander, C.McConville, I.Bradbury and I.Rowland, “Associations between whole-blood serotonin and subjective mood in healthy male volunteers”, Biological Psychology, 71:2 171 (2006)