Your brain uses chemicals called neurotransmitters to allow cells to communicate with each other and facilitate body regulation, sensory stimulation, emotions and other cognitive functioning. One of these neurotransmitters is dopamine, a chemical involved in a number of processes in the brain, and dopamine deficiency can cause poor mood. Eating foods that stimulate dopamine production can help reduce your risk of dopamine deficiency, and may improve your mood.
Bananas
One food that helps promote dopamine production in the brain is a banana. According to MedHelp, bananas are a rich source of the amino acid tyrosine -- a small molecule that forms a component of several proteins. Upon ingestion, the proteins in bananas are broken apart into thee individual amino acids. The tyrosine in bananas can then be transported into the brain and used to make dopamine. Ensuring you are consuming adequate amounts of tyrosine-rich proteins, such as those found in bananas, helps ensure your brain has access to the tyrosine it needs to make dopamine.
Wheat Germ
Another food that can increase dopamine production in the body is wheat germ, which is a portion of the wheat kernel that can be separated from the rest of the plant during processing. Wheat germ is a rich source of the amino acid phenylalanine, a chemical similar to tyrosine. According to a 2007 study published in "The Journal of Biological Chemistry," phenylalanine can be converted into tyrosine after digestion. As a result, eating foods rich in phenylalanine can increase the levels of tyrosine in the body, which can then increase dopamine levels. You can incorporate wheat germ into your diet when baking, or as a topping for cereals such as oatmeal.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds can also help increase your body's production of dopamine. Nuts and seeds are typically rich sources of protein, and may contain tyrosine or phenylalanine. According to the The Franklin Institute, pumpkin and sesame seeds both provide rich sources of tyrosine. In addition to helping promote dopamine production, these seeds can also increase production of other neurotransmitters, which also contribute to proper brain functioning. Adding sesame or pumpkin seeds to salads, soups or stir fries can help ensure you consume adequate levels of tyrosine to boost dopamine production in your brain.
