The biggest health disorder in the USA is stress, which leads to various more serious conditions. Breathing exercises and nutritious foods reduce stress. Stress is a common condition that can be caused by many factors. For some people, the best way to relieve stress is to eat. However, not all foods are good for stress relief. In this article, we will explore many foods that help with stress, including avocados, nuts, and dark chocolate, and which ones should be avoided at all costs.
Foods That Reduce Stress Hormones
Stress-relieving foods such as vegetables
Vegetables contain magnesium and vitamin C, which are both important for reducing stress levels and enhancing moods. They also contain antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in the body which can cause or worsen depression symptoms or anxiety attacks. People who deal with chronic pain may find relief from eating vegetables as well since they contain natural painkillers such as capsaicin (found in hot peppers) and curcumin (found in turmeric).
Stress-reducing foods such as nuts
Next up we have nuts and seeds as stress-reducing foods, these high-fat foods are great for reducing tension because they contain omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown to improve tension by relaxing your nervous system.
Incorporating foods that help with stress, such as Walnuts and pumpkin seeds is great for beginners because of their low-fat content. Next up we have dark chocolate, which is packed with flavonols, antioxidants that reduce tension by increasing blood flow to your brain. This can increase your ability to be alert and concentrate on tasks which can decrease symptoms of anxiety.
Anti-inflammatory foods that reduce stress
Anxiety is not just a mental health issue; it also has physical effects such as increased inflammation and high cortisol levels. Foods that help fight inflammation are avocado, berries, mint leaves, and turmeric. Turmeric is great because it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. and also contains curcumin which has been shown to improve cognitive performance. For those who are vegan or vegetarian, get your turmeric from supplements.
Stress can cause both physical and mental effects that can cause loss of function. Food that should be avoided if you’re trying to reduce your stress includes fast food, fried foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages. In addition to drinking alcohol, try natural stress remedies like journaling each day or listening to calming music while relaxing in a bubble bath.
What Foods Worsen Stress and Anxiety?
Some foods can worsen anxiety. These include foods that increase stress hormones and oxidative stress. Different people react to food differently, but there are some general guidelines for what can worsen anxiety.
High-sugar foods
caffeine and alcohol all increase the risk of anxiety symptoms. These include candy, donuts, ice cream, and many other sugary snacks that can worsen anxiety symptoms. In particular, sugar increases stress hormones and these can lead to an increase in anxiety symptoms.
Fat and Protein
High-fat or protein foods can also increase oxidative stress in the body which has been linked to increased anxiety symptoms.
Caffeine
Contrary to popular belief that it is a stress-reducing food, caffeine is not good for overall health but it may worsen anxiety due to its effects on the body’s stress hormones and cortisol levels.
Alcohol
Alcohol can lead to anxiety and make the symptoms worse.
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