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mood. Polyphenols are antioxidants that naturally occur in plants like Vegetables and fruits. Antioxidants are well known for their ability to combat cell damage. Please remember darker chocolates are rich in unprocessed cocoa which comes from the cacao plant, has no sugar added, and is your best shot in elevating your mood. Choose a chocolate bar that has over 70% unprocessed cocoa. Green tea Magnesium is your relaxation mineral. You must have adequate levels for your cells to make energy, for many different chemi- cal pumps to work, to stabilize membranes and to help muscles relax. Anything that is tight, irritable, crampy and stiff - whether it is a body part or mood - is a sign of mag- nesium deficiency. happiness. While technically a drink, green tea deserves a spot on the list of mood- boosting foods. Green tea has many benefits. Research has linked it to lower rates of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurogenerative conditions. The Matcha green tea particularly is a rich source of the amino acid - L-theanine which helps you relax and maintain a calm demeanour. That’s a great reason to start sipping your green tea today! A study in animals looked at the effect of green tea polyphenols on measures of inflammation after exercise and the results were stunning. The rats that received the tea polyphenols were able to keep up their activity for longer than rats that did not receive the polyphenols. They also had lower levels of chemicals that signalled inflammation and muscle damage in their blood. Remember low inflammation levels in your body means more vitality, energy, Research has found eight nutrients, that make a significant contribution to supporting healthy brain function - and to fighting depression and mood disorders. Omega 3, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Folate, Zinc, Selenium and magnesium. We have covered 3 local foods that contain some of these nutrients. Keep it here as we discuss three more foods that are rich in the rest of the nutrients next Issue!. So next time you’re feeling blue, try showing your body - and your brain - some love by reaching for dark chocolate, green tea and avocado. Jennifer Mwangangi-Ayoti is a Chartered Marketer (UK), and a seasoned Wellness Coach at Licial Wellness. You can commune with her on this or related issues via mail at: Info@licialwellness.com. You can also visit the website at: www. licialwellness.com. www.sboresearch.co.ke WE COVER IN GREAT DETAIL To get an in-depth detail on the retailers -what Brands they are stocking, stock levels, sale movements, all round retail census and audits plus everything in between - get in touch with us. We’ve got retail covered in great detail. t: +254 20 214 56 68, 210 1916/7 e: research@sboresearch.co.ke SBO Research @SBOResearch