The 18 Best Stress-Busting Foods You Can’t Afford To Miss Adding To Your Diet (2 of 3)

Garlic

Doesn’t the aromatic smell of garlic just elevate your appetite? Having to use a mouthwash post consuming it can be an annoyance. But the unique taste it imparts to any dish makes it worth it.

The high sulfur compounds content in garlic raises glutathione levels in the body. It is this antioxidant that is the first to attack stress. Studies done in the past have strongly indicated that garlic alleviates stress and depression-related symptoms.

Fatty fish

Fish are undoubtedly the healthiest foods out there. Being rich in protein, omega 3, several minerals, and fats, they are in themselves a complete meal. The best part about them is that they take the least amount of time to prepare.

Salmon, sardines, and mackerel are known particularly for their higher concentration of omega 3 and vitamin D. These nutrients have a huge link to your mental state and health.

Omega 3 is needed as much for brain function and mood as for enabling you to manage stress.

More instances of depression and anxiety are reported among those following the western diet that is fairly low in this crucial nutrient.

Parsley

If garnishing recipes has never been your thing, maybe it’s time to give it a try now. Apart from making the food look more appetizing, it also increases its nutritive value and makes it easily digestible.

Parsley is one readily available herb you can rely on. It’s loaded with antioxidants which are compounds responsible for neutralizing free radicals in the body and guarding it against oxidative stress.

This kind of stress has been linked to several illnesses of the brain such as depression. Studies reveal that eating a considerable amount of antioxidants can help enormously with stress and other related diseases.

Parsley gets its strong antioxidant properties from the presence of carotenoids and flavonoids in it.

Shellfish

A lot of people aren’t shellfish fans, but learning more about their health benefits will surely make you want to include them in your diet. They are a nutritional powerhouse and skipping them altogether is a bad idea.

There are several varieties of shellfish available including oysters, mussels, clams, etc. They contain taurine, a type of amino acid that has been proven to have mood-elevating properties.

Taurine, as well as other amino acids, are required for the secretion of dopamine, the stress regulating hormone. Many studies have pointed out taurine as having anti-depressant effects.

Other than that, shellfish are a good source of other stress-reducing nutrients such as manganese, selenium, vitamin B12, and copper. A study among 2089 Japanese people has associated zinc and manganese with mental illnesses such as depression.

Acerola cherry powder

We all love the taste of cherries. Their sweet flavor and crunchy texture make them a great addition to ice creams or cakes. Wouldn’t some cherry powder come in handy when you are trying to whip up a quick summer drink or some milkshake?

Out of all the varieties, acerola cherries have the highest vitamin C content. In fact, they have almost 50 to 100% higher concentrations of vitamin C as compared to citrus fruits such as oranges or sweet lime.

Vitamin C is needed for a healthy stress response. Moreover, regular consumption of vitamin C-rich foods has been associated with better moods and lesser instances of agitation.

While there is no harm in enjoying acerola cherries fresh, their highly perishable nature can make it a challenge. For this reason, it is widely available in powdered form that can be used to get their flavor and nutrients.

Eggs

The most versatile yet tastiest food. Eggs are a staple for many and that should be the case with you as well. There are several ways to prepare them and you can have them for any meal of the day.

Also called nature’s multivitamin, eggs are loaded with protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients are essential for dealing with stress in a healthy manner. A rare substance found in abundance in whole eggs is choline. We need choline for optimal brain health and function and for calming down stress.

Studies in animals have shown choline supplements as a mood-boosting agent.