5 Foods That Help With Stress

We’ve talked about stress on the blog many times before, and the reason for that is that your brain and your gut are inextricably connected. Our favorite tidbit that we continually press is that 95 percent of the serotonin your brain uses every day comes from your gut! That’s why what you eat can actually help you destress, refocus, and recharge that serotonin. 

Here are five foods that can help you manage your stress the most. 

1. Nuts

It requires a lot of energy to be stressed out. That means that your B vitamins get depleted, fast. Stock up on nuts, like pistachios, to fill up on those B vitamins and keep your blood pressure down.

2. Salmon

Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Your body doesn’t naturally produce these omega-3’s, however, many studies have shown that they play a critical role in reducing your risk of a heart attack, stroke, and even some types of cancer. According to researchers:

In a study in Brain, Behavior and Immunity, people who took a daily omega-3 supplement (containing DHA and EPA) for 12 weeks reduced their anxiety by 20 percent compared to the placebo group.

3. Whole Eggs

Eggs are essentially nature’s perfect food—at least when it comes to their health benefits. Whole eggs are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and one nutrient in particular—choline. Choline is powerful in that it actively helps protect your brain against stress, aids in stress response, and boosts your mood. 

4. Garlic

We’ve been talking about garlic a lot lately, and for good reason! It’s particularly great in reducing hypertension and blood pressure—two body markers that often result from chronic stress

5. Broccoli

Broccoli is a cruciferous veggie. What’s a cruciferous veggie, you ask? These veggies have some of the most concentrated levels of nutrients out there, like magnesium, folate, and Vitamin C. All of which have been shown to actively combat symptoms associated with depression and depressive moods. Plus, it’s rich in sulforaphane, which is a compound packed with properties designed to calm you, acting as an antidepressant. 

 

Have any favorite foods that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments!