Diet and mood research is dominated by observational studies with real confounding problems. A handful of foods have genuine trial evidence; most do not.
Mood, stress and anxiety-related outcomes.
4 foods, grouped by the strongest rating any of its claims in this area reaches. Ratings describe the research, not the food. How ratings are decided.
Several human studies point the same way, with real caveats.
Early human work, or mostly lab and animal research.
Not enough human research to say anything useful yet.
Ocimum basilicum
The fresh leaves of Ocimum basilicum, used raw or added at the end of cooking because its aroma compounds are heat-sensitive. It…
Stress and anxiety: Small trials of holy basil, or tulsi, extracts report reductions in perceived stress scores. Holy basil is a different species from the sweet basil used in cooking, the trials used concentrated extracts, and the results should not be read across to pesto.
Curcuma longa
The dried, ground rhizome of Curcuma longa, and the yellow base of most curry powders. The USDA entry is per 100 g of the dried…
Mood: Curcumin has been studied for depressive symptoms in a handful of small trials with short follow-up, high risk of bias and results that do not line up with each other. There is not enough dependable human research to say anything useful, and none of it involves turmeric at culinary intakes.