After eight weeks of lockdown and no sign of restrictions being lifted any time soon, it’s understandable that our moods might be up and down like the latest ride at Alton Towers. We’re all being tested and perhaps discovering for the first time how important Mental Health is to our general outlook on life. But here’s some good news; scientists have discovered just how what you eat can affect your mood and watercress tops their list of ‘happy food.’

Plate of Watercress with Cloth on Wooden Table.jpg

The Journal of World Psychiatry has published an Antidepressant Food Scale featuring a list of foods that ‘are the most dense sources of nutrients demonstrated by scientific literature to play a role in the prevention and recovery from depressive disorders.’ Scientists are urging that researchers going forward should actively consider these Antidepressant Foods in the design of future intervention studies and clinicians should consider them as dietary options to support prevention and recovery from depression disorders.

The list of foods featured both animal and plant sources and data was gathered for a 100g serving of each food in its raw form as various cooking methods can alter the nutrient content. The foods were judged on their percent daily value of 12 Antidepressant Nutrients: folate, iron, long chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA), magnesium, potassium, selenium, thiamine, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C and Zinc. Watercress easily topped the list of both animal and plant sources scoring a huge 127% in the Antidepressant Food Score. Spinach came a distant second with a score of 97%, Broccoli just 41% while the highest scoring animal food source was oysters at 56%.

Watercress growers Luke & Herbie, 2 happy chaps…must be the watercress!

Watercress scores highly on many of the necessary Antidepressant Nutrients for example, gram for gram it contains more folate than a banana and more Vitamin C than an orange. What’s more, it’s a rich source of iron and unlike many plant irons its iron can be easily absorbed by the body. This is because vitamin C promotes the absorption of plant iron by converting it into the same form as is found in meat (haem iron) and which the body can easily absorb. The high level of Vitamin C in watercress means that it is a rare green leaf with good iron availability. This alone should move it to the top of the shopping list particularly for the growing number of vegans and vegetarians who must source their iron from plants.

So, if you want to lift your mood grab a handful of watercress as a snack, whisk up a smoothie, or how about trying this classic watercress soup? Or for a real double hit of happiness, try this Watercress soup with an Oyster by Michelin star Chef, Stephen Harris. You’ll be jumping for joy!

For other inspiring ideas, visit our recipe section HERE

The Watercress Company takes its social responsibility seriously and every year helps the citizens of Alresford, Hampshire to greater heights of happiness through the World Watercress Eating Championships. Here participants compete to eat an 85g bag of watercress in the fastest time which not only does them good but encourages much laughter among the spectators too!

We’re unable to do it in person this year but we’ve taken the Championships on line. See here exactly what is involved and how to enter for your chance to win some great prizes!

Could you eat yourself happy with watercress?