Science says drink up! A glass of wine can totally help chill you out Tom Kelley Archive/retrofile/getty images / Today “Drinking wine—and alcohol in general—is one of the most time-honored ways for disconnecting our brains at the end of the day,” says Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., board certified internist and author of numerous health and wellness books, his latest being The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. ”This has been documented for over 5,000 years, and there’s a good reason for its persistent popularity.””Alcohol, including wine, calms transiently because it is a central nervous system depressant,” explains David L. Katz, M.D., the founding director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center, and the author of Disease-Proof. In other words, alcohol is sedating. But before you hop into your pajamas and pop your favorite Moscato, there are a few things to keep in mind, including how much you drink and when. “One glass of wine at dinner is apt to have a calming effect without impairing sleep,” adds Dr. Katz.

Yet drinking greater quantities of wine can have a direct effect on your metabolism, which can interrupt your slumber. “So the net effect of relying on alcohol for relaxation is adverse if too much is consumed, too close to bed time.” Dr. Teitelbaum also warns: “Those who suffer from severe gastritis and nighttime acid reflux should avoid wine since it can aggravate these conditions.” If you’re looking for an extra health boost, sip a glass of red wine, as opposed to white. “Red wine contains resveratrol, which may decrease Alzheimer's risk and increase your life span,” states Teitelbaum. In fact, a recent study conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered that this compound directly activates a protein that promotes health and longevity. “What a great way to live long and love living!” says Teitelbaum. A version of this story originally appeared on iVillage.Studies have shown that some foods make us feel calmer while other foods can act as stimulants — at least temporarily.

If you experience stress and anxiety or panic attacks, making some modifications to your diet may help alleviate your symptoms. Here are five foods you may want to add to your diet to boost your mood, and four foods you may want to avoid because they can increase stress and even possibly cause a depressed mood.wine of fire costFood to Eat: Turkey and Tryptophan-Rich FoodsSome researchers believe that tryptophan can have a positive effect on stress because this amino acid helps your brain produce feel-good chemicals. best place to buy organic wine"Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, and serotonin, a neurotransmitter, helps you feel calm," said San Francisco nutritionist Manuel Villacorta, MS, RD, a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association (now known as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics).one hope wine cost

You will find tryptophan in a variety of foods: turkey, chicken, bananas, milk, oats, cheese, soy, nuts, peanut butter, and sesame seeds. buy wine online in germanyHowever, there is some question about whether tryptophan found in food crosses the blood-brain barrier, so the effect is not going to be a dramatic one.can u buy wine in texas on sundayFood to Eat: Beef and Foods Rich in Vitamin BStudies have shown a relationship between the B vitamins, including thiamin or vitamin B1, and mood. top 10 new zealand wineA deficiency in B vitamins such as folic acid and B12 can trigger depression in some people. You can take a vitamin B supplement or eat foods that are rich in B vitamins to ward off anxiety. These include beef, pork, chicken, leafy greens, legumes, oranges and other citrus fruits, rice, nuts, and eggs.

Food to Eat: Whole Wheat BreadCarbohydrates also increase production of serotonin in the brain. When choosing mood-lifting carbs, go for whole grains, such as whole wheat bread or brown rice, rather than processed choices, such as sugar, candy, or even white bread and white rice, Villacorta said. Whole grains take longer for the body to break down, and release sugar into the bloodstream slowly. Processed carbs may give you an initial surge of energy, but that can be followed by an insulin rush, which rapidly drops blood sugar levels, ultimately leaving you feeling lethargic.Food to Eat: SalmonEvidence continues to mount that consuming omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, lake trout, herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines, can be uplifting and enhance your mood. Some studies have shown that patients who took omega-3 fatty acids along with their prescription antidepressants improved more than those who took antidepressants alone. A possible side benefit: Omega-3s may reduce risk of heart disease.

Food to Eat: Greek Yogurt and Other High-Protein FoodsProtein helps stimulate the production of the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine, which, like serotonin, are neurotransmitters and carry impulses between nerve cells. Higher levels of norepinephrine and dopamine have been shown to improve alertness, mental energy, and reaction time, Villacorta said. Good sources of protein include Greek yogurt, fish, meats, cheese, eggs, nuts, beans, soy, and lentils. "The ideal for mood-boosting," Villacorta said, "is to combine complex carbohydrates and protein, and to spread your meals throughout the day."Food to Avoid: Coffee and Caffeinated DrinksSome people drink coffee and other beverages that contain caffeine (tea, cola, and hot chocolate) to help boost their energy levels. The problem is that caffeine has been shown to inhibit levels of serotonin in the brain, and, when serotonin levels are suppressed, you can become depressed and feel irritable. Caffeine is also a diuretic — it makes you go to the bathroom more often.

Even mild dehydration can cause depression. Caffeine also can keep you awake, leading to stress and anxiety. Remember that you need to sleep well to be in a positive mood.Food to Avoid: CandyOf course, almost everyone likes sweets, and sweets (including those containing table sugar, honey, and corn syrup) can make us feel better, but again it's a temporary lift. Here's why: Sugar is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. The absorption causes an initial high or surge of energy. But that surge wears off as the body increases its insulin production to remove the sugar from your bloodstream. The result: You're left feeling tired and low.Food to Avoid: AlcoholSome people drink alcohol because it seems to ease stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, the good mood is only temporary. In the long run, alcohol is a depressant. Like caffeine, alcohol is a diuretic, and it's important to stay hydrated for a number of reasons, including mood. If you do drink, drink in moderation. "If you have a 6-ounce glass of wine at dinner, it's probably fine," Villacorta said.