3 Foods Rich In Tryptophan

The chemical state of our brain, largely determined by the release of neurotransmitters, has a direct impact on our  mood. These substances are directly responsible for maintaining the proper functioning of our mind, and can be the key to improving our sensations, attitudes and fighting diseases, such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, today we bring you a list of foods rich in tryptophan that can help you in this regard.

Tryptophan is one of the most important amino acids. It is responsible for regulating draft functions, such as sleep, and is also a precursor of well-known neurotransmitters such as serotonin and melatonin. Because of this, we are going to see how we can regulate it.

Why eat foods rich in tryptophan?

The human body needs eight essential amino acids – at least that we know of – to function properly. These are substances that cannot be produced by our body, so they have to be incorporated through the diet. Of the eight, 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 have very beneficial effects on the craving for unhealthy foods. On the other hand, it is believed to  be able to protect us against some types of cancer and heart problems.

In this way, incorporating some foods rich in tryptophan into an already healthy diet can improve the quality of your life significantly. In this article we will talk about the following:

• Eggs.
• Meat and fish.
• Dairy products.

Let’s look at each of them.

1- Eggs

Eggs are one of the most maligned foods, for no reason, of all that exist. For decades they have been badly publicized, due to the belief that they produce high levels of cholesterol. However, in recent times it has been discovered that  eating a lot of eggs is not only not bad, but also has a very positive impact on our health.

One of the main reasons for this positive effect is that  eggs contain all kinds of beneficial components for our body. So if you could only choose one of the foods rich in tryptophan on the list, this would be one of the best choices.

One caveat: the highest concentration of tryptophan is found in the yolk, so consuming just the whites is not very effective in increasing the levels of this neurotransmitter in your body.

2- Meat and fish

Lately there is a lot of excitement in relation to the harmful effects of meat on our health as a result of a report published by the WHO in 2014 on the relationship between this food and certain types of cancer. However, these results require a more in-depth analysis, and only refer to some foods of animal origin.

For example, although red meats (such as beef or pork, in very high quantities) seem to cause some problems in our health. In contrast, white (such as chicken or turkey) and fish (especially blue)  have been shown to have predominantly positive effects for most people. Among them is, of course, the increase in tryptophan in our brain, but there are many more.

Thus, a regular consumption of white meat and oily fish will help you maintain your ideal weight, lose fat and build muscle, and regulate both your mood and your cravings for junk food. Therefore,  including more meat of this type in your diet is one of the best choices you can make.

3- Dairy

The last type of foods rich in tryptophan that we are going to see are those derived from milk. Although some people do not tolerate them very well, those who can take them without negative consequences will  find that they have many benefits for their health.

In addition, the relationship between milk and tryptophan is already found in popular culture: it is not in vain that it  is a food that is recommended to take to better sleep. This has to do with the effects that this amino acid has to combat insomnia.

Despite the importance of taking this type of food, it is necessary to understand that  just the fact of consuming them does not guarantee a good level of tryptophan. It is essential that you take them within a balanced diet, since the production of the different neurotransmitters depends on many factors. In this case, for example, the body also needs the presence of magnesium and vitamin B6.

However, consuming the foods on this list, although it may not work miracles, it will help you increase your well-being and your quality of life.