Great, Tanga ( #13 ). A favourite meal with a few SMB’s or bottle of wine, with the right surroundings and company, is a good sensory experience ! But too much food and drink also cause some of our greatest health problems.
It's interesting that food may have mood-altering properties - the point of this thread, regardless of Van Gogh’s health problems or painting ability. These are chemical effects, involving “ neurotransmitters “ such as serotonin and dopamine. Our brains have evolved to enable us to crave for “ highs “ ( from drugs, and - seemingly - certain foods ). The downside is “ lows “ ( anxiety, depression ). Bipolar disorders occur when these variations become extreme.
Omega-3 ( oily fish ) and flavonoids ( blueberries, cranberries, dark chocolate ) may improve mood. But a whole bar of chocolate every day can lower mood - and cause obesity. Turkey, bananas and nuts served by Mr Rafael may make people feel calmer and less stressed - for a while. They contain tryptophan, converted in the body into serotonin. Certain diets might work like antidepressant drugs. ( One type of these drugs acts by “ selective serotonin re-uptake inhibition “. )
Antidepressants are not the solution to most people’s problems, and are over-prescribed. Likewise, many of us can’t afford to eat out very often. A balanced diet and alcohol in moderation, are the answer for most people, most of the time
