Seasonal Affective Disorder, more commonly called as Spring fever, is a clinical syndrome with manifestations of carbohydrate cravings, increased sleep and lethargy. Even though various medications and light therapy are primarily used to help people with spring fever, changes in diet can be very beneficial.
Many fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals that are very helpful in elevating mood. It is useful to try these foods and see if they help you because since they are natural products, they cause virtually no harm to the body. There are many nutrients that are shown to help in spring fever and they are mentioned below along with their natural sources.
You could pick and choose the sources that are easily available to you and that would go together nicely in a glass of juice. But try to include enough foods such that you get all the missing nutrients.
Vitamin D
This is the main nutrient implicated in Spring fever. Vitamin D is very important for maintenance of bones and nerve activity in the brain. Our skin is able to make its own vitamin D with the help of sunlight. During winter and spring, there may be inadequate exposure to sun and the body may become low in vitamin D. However, vitamin D can be obtained from soy, oranges and kale.
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an amino acid that is used to synthesize serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that elevates your mood. Soy milk is a good source. In fact, all sweet fruits, that is, fruits high in carbohydrates can increase the serotonin levels in the brain.
B-Complex
Vitamins of the B-complex group, especially B6 (pyridoxine) and B9 (folate) are helpful in spring fever. These vitamins help in maintenance of cell structure and neural activity.
Bananas, spinach, avocado and soybeans are rich in B6.
Dark green leafy vegetables (eg. spinach, kale), asparagus, beans, broccoli, avocado, lettuce, mangoes and oranges are all rich sources of Folate.
Antioxidants
When are body is under any kind of stress – physical or psychological; our body produces free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to the cells. Antioxidants prevent the formation of these free radicals and are very important for general well-being. What’s more – antioxidants even delay ageing! Besides blueberries which are super-rich in antioxidants, other berries including cranberry, blackberry, strawberry and raspberry; prunes, cherries, red grapes, plums, pecans and apples are all rich sources of antioxidants. Spinach, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and beats are also good sources.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral which is important for maintaining proper nerve function. Green leafy vegetables, soy milk and nuts are rich in magnesium.
As you can see, there are many readily available fruits and vegetables that can be used to fight spring fever. Juice ‘em up!
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