Here’s another quick and easy recipe which will help you to increase the foods that fight depression in your diet.
So, don’t delay! Watch the video below the recipe to discover how to make these tasty Spicy Potato Cakes For Depression, so you can start reaping all the health-giving benefits they have to offer! (See the list of natural antidepressant benefits below video)
Spicy Potato Cakes For Depression
Ingredients
- 450 grams Potatoes (diced)
- 1 Onion (grated)
- 1 tsp Garam Masala
- 1/4 tsp Chilli Powder (optional)
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Coriander (cilantro)
- 4 Tbsp Ghee (or oil)
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- Dice 450gms of potatoes.
- Cook diced potatoes in boiling lightly-salted water for 10-15 (or until tender).
- Meanwhile, grate onion.
- Place grated onion in a clean towel or muslin cloth and wring well to squeeze out all excess moisture. Then, transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- To the grated onion, add garam masala, chilli powder (optional), lemon juice and chopped coriander (cilantro). Mix well.
- Drain the boiled potatoes and add to bowl. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Roughly mash potatoes with fork until thoroughly mixed.
- Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions, form each portion into a ball between your palms and flatten into a cake.
- Heat the ghee (or oil) in a pan. Add the spicy potato cakes in batches and cook for 2 minutes each side, until golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot or cold, garnished with coriander.
Video
A Tasty Snack To Help Fight Depression
Why is this recipe great for those suffering in depression?
POTATOES: Help Maintain Neurological Health
Potatoes are a fantastic source of vitamin B6 which is critical for maintaining neurological health, normal brain development and function.
Vitamin B6 also helps the body make several neurotransmitters (messenger molecules), such as; Serotonin and Norepinephrine, which influence mood. They also assist in the production of the hormone melatonin, which helps regulate our body clock.[1
] (In other words, melatonin helps you to maintain the healthy sleeping and waking patterns, which is necessary if you’re trying to lift yourself up and out of depression).
Potatoes also contain; potassium, copper, vitamin C, manganese, phosphorus, niacin (vitamin B3), dietary fibre and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).
Why are these minerals highly beneficial when you’re stuck in depression?
Potassium:
Essential for 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. If you’ve watched the FREE Masterclass: What Causes Depression, you’ll know that keeping your nervous system healthy and strong is vital for lifting yourself up and out of depression.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid):
Research shows a Vitamin C deficiency increases symptoms of depression and anxiety.[2][3] So, consuming adequate levels of Vitamin C is essential if you want to overcome depression, as it supports your entire body-mind system.
Magnesium:
There’s evidence that a magnesium deficiency can manifest as depression.[4] This may be due to the fact that serotonin levels are said to decrease, when there’s inadequate levels of brain magnesium.[5] A magnesium deficiency = A serotonin deficiency.
Research also shows that magnesium is as effective in treating depression as the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) Imipramine/Tofranil, but without any of the usual antidepressant side-effects of Imipramine.[5]
So, increasing your magnesium levels (if they’re low) can be effective in treating depression, even treatment-resistant depression (TRD).[5]
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid):
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) is essential in the proper functioning of our adrenals. However, when we’re extra stressed or in a constant state of depression our levels of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) can be easily depleted (as stress depletes it). Therefore, we need to ensure we have adequate levels of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) in our diet, as studies suggest Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) reduces the hyper-secretion of cortisol[6] in humans under high stress or in a chronic state of depression. To learn more about the link between your Cortisol levels and depression watch the Free Masterclass: What Causes Depression by clicking here.
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ONION: An 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).[7]
Onions are rich in vitamin C and contain vitamin B6, folic acid (vitamin B9), potassium and are pretty-much equal to Garlic in their medicinal and healing properties.
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GARAM MASALA: A Plethora of Mental, Emotional + Physical Benefits
Garam Masala is a mix of ground spices which typically includes (but, is not limited to): Black and white peppercorns, Cloves, Cinnamon or cassia bark, Mace (from the seed covering of nutmeg), Black and green cardamom pods, Bay leaves, Cumin and Coriander. Each of these aromatic spices have their own unique properties for improving mental, emotional and physical health. Garam masala has been used for thousands of years and is said to have a direct effect on mental health, with many benefits for brain fitness, functioning and mood.[8]
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CHILLI POWDER: Antidepressant Effects
Chilli powder contains capsaicin which studies show produces rapid antidepressant-like effects.[9][10]
Who would have thought that the very compound which gives chilli it’s ‘kick of heat’ can help to kick depression right out of your life?! 😉
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LEMON JUICE: Anxiety-Reducing, Antidepressant-Like Effects
Studies reveal the citrus fragrance found in lemon can help to normalise neuroendocrine hormone levels and immune function and is rather more effective than antidepressants.[11]
Research also shows that lemon oil (a product of lemons) possesses anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing), antidepressant-like effects.[12] Which means, a apple a day may keep the doctor away but a lemon a day may help to keep depression away! 😉
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CORIANDER (CILANTRO): Beneficial For Depression And Anxiety
Studies show coriander (cilantro) exerts antidepressant-like effects on our body-mind system.[13] This may be due to its ability to increase Serotonin in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Serotonin is an important chemical and neurotransmitter in our body. It is said to help regulate mood and social behaviour, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory, sexual desire and function.
Research also reveals that coriander (cilantro) produces anti-anxiety effects almost similar to diazepam (Valium).[14]
If you have both depression and anxiety, adding coriander to your diet will be highly beneficial.
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SALT: Vital Elements For Numerous Bodily Functions
Natural, unrefined salt contains essential minerals and elements which are vital for numerous body-mind functions. The most important of these are potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Inadequate brain magnesium appears to reduce serotonin levels.[5] In other words; A magnesium deficiency = A serotonin deficiency.
So, even if a simple pinch of salt is not going to give you your recommended daily value of magnesium (+ other essential elements), it will help put to you on the right track to optimal health and overall well-being, as you’ll be giving your body some of the essential minerals and elements it needs to function to the best of its abilities.
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BLACK PEPPER: Improves Brain Function And Possesses Anti-depression Properties
Black pepper contains a host of nutrients including; magnesium, calcium, zinc, chromium, potassium, manganese, iron and vitamins A and C which are all highly beneficial if you’re stuck in a state of depression.
Studies also show that black pepper can improve brain function and it possesses anti-depression like effects.[15]
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GHEE: Contains Omega-3
Pure Ghee has an abundance of healing properties, goodness and health benefits, which is why it’s been an invaluable part of the ancient medical science of Ayurveda for thousands of years.
Ghee has the ability to transport all the valuable nutrients and fat-soluble vitamins (those vitamins which require fat for the body to properly absorb them, such as; Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Vitamin D) to reach all the necessary cells within your body, resulting in you receiving the greatest therapeutic benefits.[16][17]
This is due to Ghee’s magical ability of reaching the deepest of tissues within your body.
Along with it’s magnificent nutrient-rich transportation abilities, Ghee also contains vitamins A, K, E, B12, along with high levels of Omega-3. Which are all essential nutrients for the proper functioning of your overall body-mind system.
Studies show Omega-3 is very effective against the treatment of major depression disorder.[18][19]
NOTE: Don’t be afraid of adding “good fat” to your diet, as you’re now aware that many vitamins require the fat to be fully absorbed or transported around your body, allowing them to be more readily available for your body to use. Always remember, yes! Bad fat is bad, but good fat isn’t! In fact, it’s a requirement for overall health and wellbeing!
So, what are you waiting for?
So, why not download the recipe right now and start receiving all the health-enhancing benefits from these Spicy Potato Cakes For Depression today. You’ll be glad you did! 😉
Talk to you soon,
FOOTNOTES:
1. http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=107&pid=33&gid=000337
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26353411
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25835231
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16542786
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19944540
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4320823
7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278584610001715
8. https://universityhealthnews.com/topics/memory-topics/garam-masala-spice-mixture-loaded-with-brain-benefits
9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S003193841830667X
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27167081
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8646568
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16780969
13. https://www.ijrap.net/admin/php/uploads/404_pdf.pdf
14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195130
15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=food+and+chemical+toxicology+2008+piperine
16. http://www.imedpub.com/articles/the-versatility-of-cow-ghee-an-ayurvedaperspective.pdf
17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3611637
18. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422015005387
19. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/omega-3-fatty-acid