She and her husband Rich Wurtman also an MIT researcher, studied the relationship between food and mood. They link the two with the finding that the sugar and starch in carbohydrate-loaded foods boosts the brain chemical serotonin, which is important in governing mood. Her research also shows that certain foods high in serotonin, such as a high-fat sweets, can produce cravings for comfort. Microbiology freshman Reema Tandan said she finds comfort in chocolate. Wurtman's research additionally suggests that carbohydrate-rich foods, such asbreads, cereals, pasta, fruit and starchy vegetables, elevate serotonin levels, which helps people feel more relaxed and calm.
Low serotonin is linked with increased aggression and depression.
In addition to food's suggested mood enhancing properties, Wurtman's research shows that high protein foods, such as cottage cheese, yogurt or milk, beans, peas, nuts and soy products, release other substances that increase alertness and allow people to react and think more quickly. He said there is not enough research to support the link between mood and food. Other researchers say a diet of fish is responsible for decreased risk of depression. Around the world, depression rates drop as fish consumption rises, said Joseph R. Hibbeln and researchers at the National Institutes of Health. The Japanese, who eat the most fish, are the least depressed.