Did you know that umami-rich foods can improve your mood?

Credits: Umami Committee

Discover four umami foods that help reduce stress

São Paulo, October 2023 – Surely you’ve experienced being offered chocolate in a bad mood, right? Foods like the beloved chocolate naturally contain nutrients in their composition that can improve quality of life and mood.

Chocolate, for example, contains the amino acid tryptophan, which helps the brain produce serotonin. It acts directly on the central nervous system, resulting in a feeling of well-being and improved mood for the person who consumes it.

In addition, it is possible to include other foods in the diet that positively influence mood while keeping meals even healthier. According to Ilana Elman Grinberg, master’s and PhD from USP with postdoctoral studies at the Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital and partner of the Umami Committee, umami-rich foods, which awaken the fifth taste of the human palate, are great options for well-being, as well as contributing to a more diverse diet.

According to Ilana, the amino acid glutamate is one of the substances responsible for sensitivity to umami, and can be naturally found in foods such as meats, fish and seafood, mushrooms, eggs, vegetables, legumes, asparagus, milk, cheeses, and green tea.

“These foods contain nutrients that help regulate the level of hormones that influence feelings of relaxation and stress,” she explains. To recognize umami taste in meals, it’s simple: just notice the increase in salivation and the prolonged flavor of the food on your palate.

To introduce you to more umami-rich ingredients that help boost your mood, in addition to other health benefits, the Umami Committee has selected four foods. Check them out!

Corn
Grilled, boiled, or sautéed, corn is a versatile and practical food that helps improve mood. In addition to naturally containing a substance that makes umami taste perceptible, corn is rich in magnesium, a substance that helps muscle relaxation, aiding in stress relief.

Fish
In addition to being healthy foods, many fish, such as salmon, are umami. Fish are rich in omega-3, a substance that helps improve memory and acts in the body across different tissues. Another benefit of fish is their richness in vitamins B2, B6, and B12.

Tomato
In various vegetables, glutamate is the main compound responsible for the fifth taste. The substance can be found in different amounts depending on the ripeness of the food and tends to increase over time. In tomatoes, for example, glutamate concentration is higher when they are very red. In addition, the fruit has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, providing several health benefits.

Green tea
For those who want to enjoy a relaxing moment, green tea is a good choice, as it offers varying levels of sweet, umami, and bitter tastes, depending on the blend and variety of the herb.

UMAMI

It is the fifth basic taste of the human palate, discovered in 1908 by Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda. It was scientifically recognized in 2000, when researchers at the University of Miami confirmed the existence of specific receptors for this taste on the taste buds. The amino acid glutamic acid and the nucleotides inosinate and guanylate are the main umami substances. The two main characteristics of umami are the increase in salivation and the persistence of the taste for a few minutes after eating the food. To learn more, visit www.portalumami.com.br.