In the Mood for Food

Chocolates are rich in tryptophan, which forms a rate-limiting step in the production of the mood-modulating neurotransmitter serotonin known to diminish anxiety.

Manufacturers claim that mood food, which is derived from the functional food sector, can affect one’s happiness and general well being. This is accomplished by the chemical stimulation of neurotransmitters in the brain, resulting in contentment, which is more commonly termed ‘a good mood’.

These neurotransmitters trigger action, speech, thought and emotion, and one’s diet is considered to have the ability to alter the production and activity of neurotransmitters. Repetitive experiences with certain classes of food can cause the brain to relate specific items with certain emotions.

Illnesses that such food aims to address include depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, post natal syndrome, schizophrenia, insomnia, pre-menstrual syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Mood food 101

As early as 1971, researchers such as Fernstrom and Wurtman recommended that carbohydrate consumption alters the body’s amino acid balance, causing an increase of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin regulates sleep, appetite and impulse control and hence plays an important role in the elevation of a downcast mood.

Since then, over 30 human studies have been conducted to ascertain the relationship between mood, food and the brain. In 2002, a survey was conducted by the Food and Mood Project, backed by the mentalhealth charity Mind.

The survey classified food as either ‘stressors’ or ‘supporters’. The stressors group comprised of food such as sugar, caffeine and alcohol, while supporters included water, vegetables, fruit and fish oil that is rich in omega-3. Participants of the survey who consume ‘supporters’ reported mental heath benefi ts as compared to those who consumed ‘stressors’.

Consumers have often linked consuming of certain food to better mood and disposition. While tea is considered to have the ability to soothe stressful situations, chocolate is seen as a stimulant that is associated with sensuality. Ice-cream, also known as an indulgent food, is now accepted by consumers as a wholesome pleasure food. Such food-mood associations have therefore sparked the initial interest from academia into studying the potent connection between nutrition, mood and mental health. Since then, there have been numerous research studies advocating the positive effect of certain foods on mood disposition.

Mood food

• Omega-3 oils

Omega-3 is one of the fastest growing functional food ingredients in Europe and it is sometimes known as an ‘excellent mood food’. Omega-3 oils block chemicals called cytokines that can cause low mood. Oily fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna, flaxseed oil, nuts and seeds are good sources of omega-3.

According to research conducted by the Australasian Research Institute at Sydney Adventist Hospital and the University of New South Wales, the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids lowers the incidence of depression in adolescents. Europeans consume up to 15 times more omega-6 than omega-3, due to greater consumption of processed foods, thereby raising the potential for bouts of depression.

• Green tea

Most commonly known as an antioxidant and weight management ingredient, countries such as Japan, UK and Australia have realised green tea’s potent benefi ts on one’s mood. According to research from Unilever, green tea contains L-theanine, which is said to relax the brain.

Consumption of 50 mg of L-theanine (equivalent to two-three cups of tea) has shown to stimulate the alpha-brain waves associated with relaxation. By increasing the frequency of these brain waves, the beta-brain waves associated with tension are decreased.

Mood food manufactures claim diets can affect one’s happiness and general well being. Such a scenario is accomplished by the chemical stimulation of neurotransmitters in the brain, resulting in contentment, which is more commonly termed ‘a good mood’.

• Breads

Research conducted by the Brain and Behaviour Institute at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands has shown that food low in amino acid tryptophan will likely to cause depression. Trytophan is a metabolic pre-cursor to the chemical messenger serotonin. It is found in food such as milk, bread, cheese, bananas and meat such as turkey. The depletion of serotonin levels in the brain is known to result in depression and other mental problems.

• Ice-cream

Perhaps the most soothing of all food, research has shown that the feeling of well being caused by consuming ice-cream has been related to the presence of the neurotransmitter anandamide, a cannabinoid chemical that attaches to specific brain receptors. This part of the brain helps in creating a mellow, calm feeling.

• Chocolate

Commonly known as a comfort food, research has now elevated the status of chocolate as a psycho-active food. In 1999, Gibson and Desmond conducted a research into why chocolate is a sought after product in creating positive emotions.

It was discovered that in addition to contain anandamide that is present in ice-cream, chocolate is also loaded with positive neurotransmitters such as oleolethanolamine, N-linoleoylethanolamine, caffeine and the obromine. These chemicals produce active psychological effects in the consumer.

Chocolates are also rich in tryptophan, which forms a rate-limiting step in the production of the mood-modulating neurotransmitter serotonin known to diminish anxiety. It has also found use in the treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) due to its rich content of magnesium that lowers progesterone levels. Chocolate also contains amino acid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that is said to reduce anxiety.

Industrial applications

Mood food continues to garner attention from manufacturers such as Unilever, Nestlé, Yakult and Glico with investments in research, innovation and marketing. In 2002, Scottish ice-cream maker Mackie's has launched a mood-enhancing low calorie ice-cream that is flavored with the essence of a native Alaskan orchid, which claims to make people happy.

In November 2006, Nestlé announced an investment of about $4 million a year over a five-year period to research into the relationship between nutrition and the brain. The research is being conducted by Ecóle Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, which will study the role of nutrition in children's brain development. The research group also aims to identify ways of retarding the age-associated decline of mental capabilities, which would help to address diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

In New Zealand, Hort Research has invested into a long term moodfood program that aims to determine if the consumption of certain fruit have a positive effect on mood and mental well-being.

Riding on its new healthy image, Coca-Cola's adult smoothie business has also introduced the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to its soy-milk product Odwalla, with claims to support healthy brain development.

Yakult and Unilever are also using ingredients such as GABA, phosphatidyl serine (PS), or L-theanine for their cognitive benefits. Unilever has introduced a marketing campaign that promotes the benefi ts of its green tea as a mood food in the UK.

One of the most successful mood food products has been Ezaki Glico’s stress-reducing ‘Mental Balance Chocolate GABA’ with first year sales of $50 million surpassing all forecasts. According to a New Nutrition Business Magazine report in 2007, these companies are now creating a market that is worth at least $100 million in retail sales, which grew 20% last year.

Trytophan is a metabolic pre-cursor to the chemical messenger serotonin. It is found in food such as milk, bread, cheese, bananas and meat such as turkey. The depletion of serotonin levels in the brain is known to result in depression and other mental problems.

Conclusion

With the flourishing growth of the functional foods sector for the past three decades, there is still a demand for niche applications in this sector. While mood food is an emerging trend, this segment could be another passing fad unless these products pass health claims.

Despite abundant research backing these foods, it appears so far to be subjective and generalised. However, the ultimate assessment for all ingredients will depend on their overcoming basic marketing diffi culties such as price pressures, the availability of raw materials, ingredients and complex health claims.

The market for mood food products is relatively young and the timing is right to initiate the successful development of this niche market sector. Strategically positioned brands and increased consumer awareness will help to propel mood food market participants into the right arena and to take these trendy niche foods into a fully-fledged market.

www.frost.com

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Top Nine Nutrition Trends for 2009

US-based communications company NutriTalk expects at least nine nutrition trends that will affect food and wellness companies. It states that consumers will be making buying choices in order to live on a budget and be frugal, while holding off lavish and extravagant purchases. The top nutrition trends are:

• Trading down

Instead of regularly splurging on treats such as gourmet coffees and restaurant meals, families are returning to the dinner table with home cooked meals.

• Wellness and prevention

Consumers want personalized health care to fit their lifestyle and be served “their way”.

• Clinical research focus on obesity

Consumers continue their search for pharmaceuticals or functional food to get healthier and younger faster.

• Sustainability and green movement

As consumers are growing more concerned about sustainability, the word 'eco' will be more prevalent on labels.

• Increase in prepared food

Home-cooked food will mean the use of convenience food, frozen meals and ready-to-eat products.

• More private label products

Consumers are looking to private label food that is usually cheaper than their name brand competitors. Functional food products will also see surging sales and they offer benefits such as calorie burning, mood food, digestive health, and weight management.

• More pre-packaged food

Time-saving food products and quick meals will grow in popularity among consumers, as they come in pre-portioned foods to control their weight, such as 100-calorie packets of cookies and crackers.

• Organic and free-range food

Consumers often see organic foods to contain more nutrients and less pesticides and chemicals.

• Locally grown food

Part of the 'green movement' is eating less processed and more natural, whole food. As consumption of locally grown food increases, local farmers’ markets will ring in more profits.

www.nutritalk.com

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