Fruits and vegetables are among the antioxidant foods that help increase dopamine in the body. Phenylalanine is an amino acid in these foods that makes building blocks (precursors) like tyrosine, which is part of the process of building protein and making neurotransmitters like dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and serotonin. In contrast, processed foods, saturated fats and sugar tend to lower dopamine levels. Neurotransmitters like dopamine assist nerve cell interaction and can help elevate mood and provide a general sense of well-being. Choosing the right foods can build up the precursors for dopamine and therefore raise your dopamine levels.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are one source of building blocks for dopamine. Integrativepsychiatry.net says foods like almonds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds are high in the antioxidants that form these building blocks. Also according to Integrative Psychiatry, some health professionals advise supplementing the diet with vitamins C and E to help with this process.
Fruits and Vegetables
Some fruits and vegetables build precursors like tyrosine and thus wind up raising dopamine levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Examples are bananas, avocados and lima beans, according to Integrative Psychiatry.
Meat and Dairy
High-protein foods help build dopamine precursors, says MedHelp website. Cottage cheese, various meats and wheat germ are high-protein foods.
Chocolate
One of the components in chocolate is phenylalanine, according to faqs.org. This building block for dopamine results in only a short-term rise in dopamine levels unless it is combined with complex proteins. Proper proteins in the diet build a much longer-lasting dopamine level.
