Want a quick mood boost? Go vanilla. People who ate vanilla-flavored yogurt had more positive moods, according to a new study, while those who ate fruit-flavored yogurts (strawberry, pineapple) experienced no emotional lift. Interestingly, the emotional responses to the different yogurts was unrelated to whether the subjects said they liked the tastes or not—that is, even if it’s not your favorite flavor, vanilla might still make you feel happier. Earlier studies have found that the mere aroma of vanilla—even when it’s barely noticeable—lowers the heart rate and eases anxiety.
For a quick and super-healthy pick-me-up, try this vanilla-bean-infused chia vanilla pudding.
