According to some experts, the food we eat can contribute to our stress and anxiety levels. So, by choosing the right foods, we can take the control in our hands and drastically decrease the amount of anxiety and stress.
But before we get to the foods you should eat, let’s tackle the foods which you should avoid.
Foods that contribute to anxiety and lead to the higher levels of stress are fried foods, refined carbs, refined sugars, and alcohol, so if you are already dealing with anxiety it is wise to stay away from those.
Foods that are known to help with anxiety and stress are mostly those rich in amino acid tryptophan, which converts into a calming neurotransmitter serotonin.
For those who can tolerate gluten whole grains, may be the best choice because despite tryptophan they also contain high levels of magnesium, which promotes relaxation and it has calming effect.
For those who should avoid gluten, seaweed is the healthy and very beneficial alternative. Seaweed has similar benefits as whole grains, it is it rich in nutrients, it also has high magnesium and tryptophan content. As an added benefit seaweed is also a natural source of iodine.
Blueberries are known to be one of the so-called superfoods. Not only they are rich in vitamins, phytonutrients, and antioxidants but they are also known to help relieve stress.
Another super food which is proven stress reliever are acai berries. Acai berries are rich in phytonutrients similar like blueberries, but their antioxidant levels are even higher.
Next in line are almonds, they are rich in zinc, a key nutrient for maintaining a balanced mood.
Pure dark chocolate, is known to reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol and it improves mood.
And last but not least is to add more water in your diet, because according to some studies dehydration is known to cause more anxiety and stress.