How coffee keeps you kicking

Various natural compounds like amino acids present in different foods steer our mood swings, opening a flood of chemicals like dopamine and serotonin that promote well-being.

"The distinction of what is a drug and what is food is blurring completely. Natural things are also drugs," said Wenk, author of the new book "Your Brain on Food."

"Certain diets influence certain behaviors," he added. "If you want to understand how your brain works, we have to look at everything you consume."

Advantages of coffee
Caffeine present in coffee stops the chemical adenosine from turning brain neurons off, staving off the sleepiness.

Coffee also releases chemicals like dopamine and serotonin which trigger the brain's pleasure receptors.

These chemicals have the ability to create that la-la feeling, revealed researchers.

The brain almost always derives pleasure from what is bad for the body in order to communicate with other neurons and is particularly ravenous for it in the morning. For example, sugar.

"Things that are often good for the brain aren't good for the body. You can't just live on Twinkies and doughnuts and beer," said Wenk.

Gary, on the other hand, claims that the brain needs a constant supply of sugar to produce energy. "Your neurons can only tolerate a total deprivation of sugar for a few minutes before they begin to die."

What other foods do for the brain
Protein foods like nuts, eggs, and milk produce the amino acid tryptophan, which produces the happy-inducing substance serotonin.

Nutmeg, saffron, fennel, dill, cinnamon, and anise contain properties that are chemically similar to mescaline. If consumed in big quantities, the spices can cause feelings of euphoria.

Sugar is of high importance to feed the brain, and helps in paying attention and learn new things. Its absence causes sensations of craving and desire.

Chocolate contains compounds that contribute to a good mood, while also soothing and mellowing.