Can Certain Foods Really Make Us Happier? My Unexpected Journey With Camembert and Mood

They say “you are what you eat”, and lately social media has been overflowing with podcasts, reels, and posts reminding us just how much our food choices shape our daily lives. It’s becoming harder to ignore the quiet signals our bodies send — through our skin, our digestion, even our mood.

For years, I brushed off small stomach issues, assuming they were just part of life. But in early 2025, after a holiday season completely free from dairy, I realised something important: my symptoms were actually caused by lactose intolerance. The signs were so subtle that I never connected them to what I was eating.

This year, I decided to try the Keto diet. Whether I followed it perfectly is another story, but one thing is certain — Keto loves fat, and that includes cheese. I was hesitant to bring dairy back into my routine, so I researched which cheeses contain the least lactose. It turns out the fermentation process makes a huge difference, and two options stood out: Camembert and Cheddar.

So I cautiously reintroduced Camembert… and something surprising happened.

My favourite snack quickly became Camembert on crackers with pecan nuts and a drizzle of honey. And with it came a noticeable lift in my mood. I felt lighter, calmer, even genuinely happy. For a moment I wondered if my perimenopause symptoms had taken a break. But then I noticed the contrast: after a heavy day of oily fish and chips, my mood dipped sharply. The next day, I returned to my Camembert snack — and the happiness returned almost instantly.

It made me pause. What is it about certain foods that can shift our emotional state so dramatically?

Is it the fat content? The fermentation? The way our gut communicates with our brain? Or simply the comfort of a food that feels nourishing and familiar?

Can that really make you happy?

Simple answer is YES.

Camembert and the gut-brain connection

Our gut and brain are closely connected through what scientists often call the gut-brain axis. The trillions of microorganisms living in our digestive system interact with our body in many ways, and researchers are increasingly interested in how gut health may influence mood and wellbeing.

Camembert is a fermented food, and fermentation is one reason it has attracted interest in discussions around the gut microbiome. While eating Camembert isn't a guaranteed mood booster, enjoying a varied diet that includes fermented foods may support a healthy and diverse gut environment.

 Camembert contains nutrients linked to mood

Camembert is a source of protein and tryptophan, an amino acid that the body uses as a building block for several important compounds.

Tryptophan is involved in the production of serotonin, a chemical messenger that plays an important role in regulating mood, sleep and appetite.

This doesn't mean that eating Camembert directly increases serotonin or automatically makes you happier. The body's production and use of serotonin is complex and influenced by many factors. However, the nutrients found in foods such as dairy products contribute to the normal functioning of the body and brain.

It's a fermented food

Camembert is made through fermentation, which gives it its characteristic flavour, aroma and creamy texture.

Fermented foods are attracting increasing interest because of their relationship with the gut microbiome. Our gut and brain communicate through the gut-brain axis, and researchers are exploring how the microorganisms in our digestive system may be connected with mood and emotional wellbeing.

While we cannot say that eating Camembert will directly improve your mood, fermented foods can be an enjoyable part of a varied diet that supports overall gut health.

It contains vitamin B12

Camembert provides vitamin B12, an essential nutrient that contributes to normal psychological function and the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Vitamin B12 also contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Getting enough essential nutrients is important for maintaining normal energy levels and supporting the nervous system — both of which can influence how we feel throughout the day.

So, can Camembert really make you happy?

Not quite in the sense of a medicine or a guaranteed mood booster.

But there are several reasons why Camembert can be associated with a feel-good experience.

Its protein and nutrients contribute to normal body and nervous-system functions. Its fermented nature makes it an interesting food from a gut-health perspective. And, perhaps most importantly, its taste, aroma and texture can create genuine enjoyment.

The real secret may be in the whole experience

Happiness doesn't come from one food alone.

It's created by a combination of good nutrition, enjoyable experiences, social connection, rest and the little pleasures we give ourselves every day.

And if one of those pleasures happens to be a beautifully creamy piece of Camembert?

Well, that's certainly something worth smiling about. 🧀💛