Eating is not something that many people do just because they have to; they eat because they enjoy it. In many cases, Southern comfort foods make people feel good. These good feelings can be triggered by sentimental feelings, but is there more at play here than just nostalgic feelings? Are there unseen things in Southern food that make you feel good? According to certain research, there may be other factors at play.
Vitamin B12
Southern food, sometimes referred to as soul food, is often deep-fried or covered in some kind of batter. While the batter might help the food taste good, the Institute of Eplieptology at King’s College in London suggests that it might not be the batter that makes you feel good. Rather, it could be vitamin B12. Staple ingredients of Southern cooking include cheese, eggs, beef and fish, all of which are great sources of B12. Research shows that foods rich in B12 help the body fight central nervous system and mood disorders. The study also shows that there’s an apparent link between the consumption of these foods and a decrease in depressive symptoms. This doesn’t just apply to Americans but also to cultures across the world: Japanese men were also included in the study.
Link Between Carbohydrate-Heavy Meals and Increased Serotonin Production
Another thing that Southern comfort foods often have in common is high amounts of carbohydrates. According to B.B. King’s Blues Club, “While most people don’t think there’s a link between feeling good and eating carbohydrates, studies show that there’s a biochemical reason why the body craves carbohydrates in stressful situations. The sugars found in meals heavy with carbohydrate promote an increase in the hormone serotonin.” This is a neurotransmitter in the body that makes people feel good. This is why people tend to feel relaxed and almost sedated just a few hours after eating a meal that was high in carbohydrates.
Psychological
Southern comfort food is often associated with sentimental feelings. While the real comfort might come from the fact that Southern meals are often served around the table with family or remind people of simpler times, the brain starts to link these good feelings with the food being shared and not so much the company. This is why everyone’s definition of comfort food differs so vastly.
Omega-3 and Fatty Acids
Eggs and fish are often found in Southern foods. While the vitamin B12 in these foods help the body feel good, there is another ingredient as well: omega-3. This is a type of fatty acid that is great for brain functionality. The benefits of omega-3 have been well discussed in books such as “You: The Owner’s Manual,” which was written by Dr. Michael F. Roizen and Dr. Mehmet C. Oz. Studies have shown that adults who have more fish and other foods that contain omega-3 tend to be less depressed. When the body feels good, it wants to associate something with it. Oftentimes, this becomes the food that the person ate.
Selenium
Last, but not least, is selenium. This is a mineral that acts like a type of antioxidant in the body. It’s found in chicken, turkey, pork and beef, all of which are used a lot in Southern dishes. Research suggests that oxidative stress in the brain is associated with depression, especially in the elderly. These antioxidants help remove oxidative stress from the brain, improving mood.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/foods-feel-better?page=2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfort_food
http://bodyecology.com/articles/eating-when-stressed#.VPjCAPnF9Y8
http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/why-food-makes-you-feel-happy/
http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/why-take-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oils-brain-health-tips/
