Superfoods for Stress

Year’s end can be stressful and this year even more so!

THE STORY: The year is almost over, but the stress from the holidays and the pandemic isn’t. While there are many ways stress can be handled - from medication to meditation - why not try chowing down on some superfoods? Certain superfoods are fabulous for decreasing stress levels; here are five of the best!

THE FOODS:

 Salmon: This superfood may be useful in reducing stress and anxiety due to the nutrients it contains such as omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, DHA, and EPA. Diets containing plenty of DHA and EPA, especially, have been associated with lowered stress and anxiety. Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin!) has also been linked to lowered rates of depression and stress.
 Dark chocolate: One of the more delicious superfoods, dark chocolate contains flavanols (plant compounds) that work similarly to antioxidants. Research into flavanols has shown that they can benefit the function of the brain, which may help you react better to situations that are stressful. Better reactions to stressful situations can result in less anxiety!
 Nuts: Nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, and almonds contain lots of B-vitamins which are beneficial in helping to manage stress. And, bonus, they also contain plenty of zinc and Vitamin E - two vitamins that can boost your immune system if stress is wearing you down! Just be sure to eat this superfood in moderation because of the high-fat content.
 Blueberries: Not only are blueberries rich in antioxidants, but they also contain Vitamin C, which studies have shown may not only help to reduce stress and anxiety but actually prevent it!
 Greek yogurt: Gut health has increasingly been shown to be a vital aspect of your overall health - there’s a reason your gut is called “the second brain”! Research has also shown that gut health is intrinsically linked to levels of cortisol (aka the stress hormone) in the body. You can give your gut a major boost in health via probiotics and prebiotics, which can be found in several foods like Greek yogurt. In fact, one study showed that people with anxiety who ate yogurt with probiotics were less anxious and could cope better with stress than those who age yogurt without them!

THE ROUND-UP: Stress can be a killer (literally), so it’s best to nip it in the bud as soon as you’re able. If you don’t have time (or patience) for meditation or don’t want to take medication to help, we suggest you give these five superfoods a try. Eating just one of them can help reduce anxiety and stress; imagine what the results would be if you combined some!