Foods and beverages can help reduce stress by building a stronger and healthier foundation for your body and reducing inflammation and oxidation inside the cells. Stress-relieving foods include fish, poultry, dark chocolate, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Beverages that reduce stress include water, lemonade, chamomile tea, warm milk, tart cherry juice, and green tea. Matthew J. Abbot said, “Eating a healthy diet can reduce the negative effects of stress on your body.” Moreover, dark chocolate helps release endorphins which elevate mood and manages stress. Stress increases your need for certain nutrients like vitamin C, B, and magnesium.
Using food to reduce stress is a tactic available for everyone. According to the nutrition and food sciences, journal, a well-balanced and nutritious diet is the most critical ingredient for good health. It is believed that the nutrients intake can impact the body’s neural circuits that control emotions, motivation, and mood. So let us begin and have a look at those foods that reduce stress:
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate can reduce stress through its chemical and emotional impact. Fact, dark chocolates reduce neuroinflammation, and cell death hence makes us happier and more relaxed. Dark chocolate is also rich in antioxidants that help in stress management by decreasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol and fight and flight hormones known as catecholamines in the body. Dark chocolate also improves memory by changing brain wave frequency. It also contains high tryptophan content that releases mood-enhancing hormones. Chocolate gives a feeling of indulgence and a real treat to yourself.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are beneficial for stress management. Vitamin B containing fruits such as avocados and bananas provide a great defense against stress. Strawberries and citrus fruits like oranges have vitamin C that reduces stress as vitamin C eases the stress levels in our body. Orange juice and carrot juice are lovely for people under constant pressure. Vegetables contain antioxidants and boost levels of serotonin which calms the brain and gives a feeling of relaxation and a good mood.
Water
Water is an essential component of our body. Drinking less water can cause dehydration. The blood thickens and portly flows throughout the body. Hormones like endorphins that improve mood do not act on their target cells, and they may cause significant stress and depression and poor brain activity. Drinking water relieves fatigue and makes you active and more vigorous. Brain mainly contains water, so drinking it can help you think, focus, concentrate better, and be more alert and vigilant. It maintains regularity in the body, so it elevates mood and reduces stress.
Green tea
Green tea helps in stress management by minimizing oxidative damage in cells. You should know that green tea has many health benefits as it contains theanine and gallate. Green tea is also rich in antioxidants that prevent aging. It also improves the function of the brain and other organs of the body. Theanine gives a unique flavor to the green tea as well as relaxing effects. A study says that people who take 4 cups of green tea daily are less likely to feel depressed. It releases chemicals like serotonin and dopamine that fight depression, stress, and anxiety. It also improves the overall activity of the body.
The answer to how to reduce stress with your favorite foods and beverages is by eating the foods you love every day and making those foods your favorite that elevates mood and reduces stress and anxiety. In this way, you can live a healthier and longer life and prevent all physical and mental diseases.
