If you’re suffering in depression (or simply, prone to recurring bouts of it) adding Turmeric and Garlic into your diet may be highly beneficial.
Studies show both Turmeric and Garlic are proven to be just as effective as the SSRI antidepressant; Fluoxetine (Prozac)[1
][2] and Imipramine/Tofranil (TCA) in the treatment of depression.[3] (But, without all those nasty side effects, like Serotonin Syndrome!)
Watch the video below the recipe to discover the easy-peasy way to make these tasty Turmeric Potatoes For Depression, so you can introduce these natural antidepressant foods into your diet, starting today! (See the list of natural antidepressant benefits below video)
Easy Turmeric Potatoes For Depression
Ingredients
- 4-5 Medium Potatoes
- 1 Onion
- 4-5 Cloves of Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven (with baking tray inside) to 190℃ (374℉).
- Peel the potatoes and cut into wedges.
- Finely chop the onion.
- Finely chop or mince the garlic.
Combine Ingredients
- In a large bowl - add the olive oil.
- Add turmeric, black pepper and salt - mix until fully combined.
- Add onions and garlic - mix until fully coated.
- Add potato wedges (wearing gloves to stop turmeric staining your hands and nails) and combine until all the potatoes are well-coated.
- Place the coated wedges onto preheated oven tray (line with baking paper or foil, if necessary).
- Bake in oven for 30-35 minutes.
- Check potatoes every 10 minutes or so, turning them for even browning and cooking.
- Once cooked, remove from oven and serve.
Sit back, relax and enjoy! 😉
An Easy Recipe For Fighting Depression
So, what are the depression-busting properties included in this extremely simple, yet, tasty snack?
TURMERIC: A Proven Natural Antidepressant
Research shows Turmeric is proven to be just as effective as the SSRI antidepressant; Fluoxetine (Prozac)[1][2] in treating depression. To learn more about the natural antidepressant qualities of Turmeric, click here.
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GARLIC: An Abundance of Natural Antidepressant Properties
Studies show that garlic has significant antidepressant-like properties, which appear to be as effective as Fluoxetine/Prozac (SSRI) and Imipramine/Tofranil (TCA) in the treatment of depression.[3]
Garlic is a “treasure trove” of natural antidepressant properties. As it contains a variety of antidepressant-like compounds, such as;
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid):
Is a natural antioxidant that’s involved in anxiety, stress, depression, fatigue and mood state in humans.[4] A Vitamin C deficiency is shown to increase symptoms of depression and anxiety.[5][4] So, if we want to strengthen and help our entire body-mind system overcome depression, we need to ensure we consume adequate levels of Vitamin C.
Magnesium:
A clinical trial in 2008 showed that magnesium was as effective in treating depression as the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) Imipramine/Tofranil, without any of the usual antidepressant side effects of Imipramine.[6]
Now, if that’s not a good enough reason to eat more garlic, there’s also evidence that a magnesium deficiency can manifest as depression.[7]
This may be due to the decrease in serotonin levels which is said to occur, when there’s inadequate levels of brain magnesium.[6]
In other words; A magnesium deficiency = A serotonin deficiency.
So, even though a couple of cloves of garlic are not going to give us our recommended daily intake of magnesium, it will help put us on the right track to increasing our magnesium levels, which is shown to be effective in treating depression, even treatment-resistant depression (TRD).[6] 😉
Phenylalanine:
Garlic is rich in Phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid, which cannot be synthesised by the body and therefore, must be obtained naturally from our diet.
Phenylalanine is a precursor for tyrosine, the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline) and the skin pigment melanin.
So, if we want to ensure we have adequate supplies of dopamine, norepinephrine and adrenaline within our body-mind system we need to consume foods that are a rich source of Phenylalanine (like garlic).
Tryptophan:
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which is the precursor for Serotonin. In other words, low levels of Tryptophan = low levels of Serotonin.
So, if we want to increase our levels of Serotonin, we simply need to add foods containing Tryptophan into our diet. Another reason, garlic is a great addition to your diet if you’re currently stuck in depression (or just wish to prevent it!).
Calcium
Calcium is one of the most important minerals for the human body. It helps form and maintain healthy teeth and bones.
Not only that, but it also plays a vital role in the release of neurotransmitters (messenger molecules, such as; Serotonin and Dopamine) within the nervous system.
Potassium:
Potassium plays an essential role in activating nerve impulses throughout your entire nervous system, which helps to keep your nervous system and vital organs functioning to the best of their abilities. It helps regulate muscle contractions, heartbeat, reflexes and many other vital processes.
Selenium:
Selenium is important for balanced thyroid function, which is vital for keeping depression at bay!
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ONIONS: Anxiety-Reducing, Natural Antidepressant
Onions contain Quercetin, a compound which studies show has an anxiety-reducing, antidepressant-like effect which is comparable to Diazepam/Valium and Fluoxetine/Prozac (an SSRI antidepressant).[8]
Onions are rich in vitamin C and contain vitamin B6, folic acid (B9), potassium and are pretty-much equal to Garlic in their medicinal and healing properties.
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POTATOES: Carbs For Brain Health
Potatoes are a very good source of vitamin B6 (critical for maintaining neurological health), potassium, copper, vitamin C, manganese, phosphorus, niacin, dietary fibre and pantothenic acid.
Vitamin B6 helps the body make several neurotransmitters (messenger molecules), such as; Serotonin and Norepinephrine, which influence mood and melatonin, which helps regulate our body clock.[9]
Vitamin B6 is needed for normal brain development and function, and is critical in maintaining neurological health. This means that eating potatoes may help with depression.
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BLACK PEPPER: A Natural Antidepressant Booster!
Black Pepper contains Piperine, a compound which is shown to increase the bioavailability and absorption of the nutrients it accompanies. It is shown to enhances the concentration, extent of absorption and bioavailability of a nutrient anywhere from 60% to a whopping 2000% !!!![10] [11]
Such a simple recipe… Yet, oh so healthy!
Download the recipe, make + enjoy!
Talk to you soon, 😉
NOTE:
Turmeric has contraindications with certain medications. Therefore, it’s strongly advised to consult your doctor before taking turmeric or curcumin supplements.
The information provided is for informational purposes only.
Always consult your doctor or health professional (especially if you’re pregnant or have an existing health condition) BEFORE changing your diet, taking supplements or adjusting medications.
FOOTNOTES:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26066335
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23832433
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2792615
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26353411
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25835231
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19944540
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16542786
8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278584610001715
9. http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=107&pid=33&gid=000337
10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027153179900007X
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9619120