Ever wondered why you reach out towards food when you are feeling anxious or depressed?
Well, this is because your body knows that there are certain foods that can help it heal.
However, the question is, the ice cream that you are eating right now is going to help stress or is it just going to add extra pounds on the scale?
This post is going to help you find this out.
We have shared 7 foods that alleviate anxiety and don’t take a toll on your body as a return.
📎 Fatty Fish
📎 Eggs
📎 Dark Chocolate
📎 Brazil Nuts
📎 Turmeric
📎 Chamomile
📎 Yoghurt
Omega-3 is a fatty acid that is closely related to mental health.
In fact, if you won’t balance it with other fatty acids, such as Omega-6, then you might end up with mood disorders, such as sudden anger or anxiety.
Studies on people suffering from substance abuse have found that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements, fatty acids commonly found in foods high on Omega-3, reduce substantial levels of anxiety.
Now, many of you would be wondering, what should I eat to stock up on this fatty acid?
Maintain a healthy diet with at least two weekly inclusions of fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and trout etc, and you’ll be sorted.
Eggs are a complete package.
They are high in vitamin D, are an excellent source of complete protein, and contain tryptophan.
So, what is complete protein, and what is tryptophan?
Well, complete protein means they contain all the relevant amino acids required for the body’s growth, including tryptophan.
Tryptophan plays a major role in serotonin generation, a hormone that regulates your behaviour by reducing stress and anxiety.
So, next time you feel a bit down, maybe eat an egg or two and see the magic!
Yes! You read it correctly!
You can munch on dark chocolate while watching your favourite Netflix series when you are feeling down.
This is another one of those foods that have high levels of tryptophan, the amino acid that regulates mood.
In addition to this, a study found that 40 g of dark chocolate reduced stress in female students.
So, if you are not keen on eggs, then maybe try dark chocolate!
These little munchies contain Selenium, an element that has been found to reduce inflammation, which leads to mood improvement, and hence, reduced levels of anxiety.
In addition to this, Selenium is an antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic, i.e., it prevents cell damage and inhibits cancer growth.
However, don’t go around eating too much of the nuts in the hope to boost your mood because it might backfire. 3 to 4 of them is enough for a day!
Turmeric is famous for centuries in the South-East Asian culture due to its healing properties.
Whether you have a knee injury, or your mood is down, turmeric has got it sorted.
In terms of reducing anxiety, turmeric works wonders through curcumin, by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
It also helps in reducing anxiety among people suffering from obesity.
You can take small amounts of it daily by adding in meals, or you can consume it by adding some to your milk.
We are sure, you would have heard about the healing properties of chamomile tea.
Well, it is famous throughout the world for its stress reduction capability due to the presence of antibacterial, antioxidant, and relaxant properties.
It is believed that chamomile works in the mood department because of flavonoids, however, it is yet to be researched, but there are studies that have affirmed its stress-relieving charms.
The good news is, you can safely intake it in high doses.
Yoghurt and fermented products that contain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, two healthy types of bacteria, positively impact your brain activity, which in turn enhances your mood.
Yoghurt’s charms aren’t limited to just this, it also contains anti-inflammatory properties that work against chronic inflammation caused by stress and anxiety.
If you are suffering from social anxiety, then yoghurt can help you out in that department as well.
Just have a bowl of it before going into the company and you’ll be sorted!
