8 Foods To Beat The Stress Out of You

Who doesn’t love chocolates? Chocolates instantly work their magic on our taste buds. Besides its sensual taste, dark chocolate also has other benefits like lowering the levels of stress hormones and improving bio-chemical imbalances related to stress. Chocolate is also packed with antioxidants in the form of flavonoids. Chocolates are also aphrodisiac in nature, thus acts as mood booster. They are rich in phenethylamine, a chemical that is released in brain whenever you’re experiencing positive emotions like love.

Yogurt is an excellent food since it is light and easily digested. All dairy products are rich in tyrosine that helps in increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is responsible for easing the stressed nerves, thus an overall calming effect. If you do not like the taste of plain yogurt, you may either add flavors of your choice or buy flavored yogurt from market. Blackcurrant, mango, strawberry and litchi are a few popular flavors.

Almonds have number of health and beauty benefits, besides being a great stress buster. They are rich in Vitamin B₂, Vitamin E, zinc and magnesium. Magnesium and Vitamin B are required for the production of serotonin responsible for regulating mood and fighting stress. Vitamin E is an antioxidant which fights the free radicals and enhance heart health besides fighting stress. Zinc also has a role in combating the negative effects of stress.

Most fruits acts as great stress busters. Fruits contains fructose, natural sugar, which can help in de-stressing your mind. Citrus fruits or other summer fruits are particularly beneficial. Take a fruit-rich diet at least once a day and you’d experience a major boost in your energy levels soon.

Garlic, also called lahsun, is known to ease stress and tension, besides reducing blood glucose levels. It has a slightly pungent flavor, which goes with a variety of recipes. You may also use them as pickles that can be taken with difference kind of snacks, chapati or rice. It is a good source of antioxidants too which is helpful in stress. Garlic is also an aphrodisiac food.

Herbal tea or black tea are both helpful in elevating your mood, while keeping calories under check. There are many variants of herbal tea available in market like jasmine tea, chamomile tea and tulsi tea.The herbs add more health benefits to your cup.

Broccoli goes with a variety of recipes, whether it’s rice, pasta, salad or sauteed with mushrooms or potatoes. Broccoli is packed with stress-busting vitamin B, especially folic acid. Folic acid is helpful in relieving anxiety, stress, panic and depression. Broccoli is also rich in fibers which relieves constipation or loose stools linked with irritable bowel syndrome which is another long term effect of stress.

Fish is a great source for Omega-3 fatty acids along with several kinds of Vitamin B. Vitamin B₆ & B₁₂ are particularly effective in fighting stress. Vitamin B₁₂ is involved in the synthesis of serotonin, and its deficiency can lead to depression. Fish also contain zinc which is also a good stress buster.