Can Eating More Fiber Make You Happier?

Consuming adequate amounts of fiber has a ton of well-known health benefits , from promoting healthy digestion to increasing satiety to regulating blood pressure. But one of the most interesting—and, perhaps, least-discussed—is its relationship to mental health. “Fiber helps feed the microorganisms in our body, regulating the microbiota, the immune system, and blood glucose,” explains nutrition coach Cristina Barrous . “This in turn has a positive impact on serotonin, dopamine, and cortisol , which play a crucial role in regulating mood and reducing stress,” she says.

Indeed, studies show that eating fiber is linked to a number of positive mental health outcomes— especially in terms of regulating mood, reducing stress, and easing symptoms of depression and anxiety. If that sounds li