This smoothie recipe provides some of the most powerful ingredients to regulate mood and bust those blues away. The banana, cacao and almond butter all support the production of dopamine and serotonin. These two brain chemicals help regulate mood and promote feelings of well-being. The calcium and magnesium from the yogurt and almond butter also promote stable moods. Research has found that patients with depression have significantly lower levels of omega-3's, so it’s excellent that this ingredient is part of the smoothie. Omega-3's from fish oil have a major role in brain function and the results of clinical studies support its efficacy in helping with depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other mood issues.
Ingredients
1½ cups organic strawberry yogurt
1 small ripe banana
1 tbsp raw cacao powder
6 frozen strawberries
2 tsp Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver Oil
1 tbsp smooth almond butter (room temperature)
1 tbsp honey or 1 cup fresh berries (optional)
Read more about how omega-3s help improve mood
Directions
Mix thoroughly in a blender at high speed. Serves two.
Recipe by Dr. Shoshana Bennett for Nordic Naturals.
