Research has shown that eating certain foods may help improve your well being and overall mood. Let’s be honest, there are foods that look and taste good but an hour after eating, you feel horrible and sluggish. No ones perfect or will always make the best eating decisions, so let’s explore the options. Here’s a look at some specific foods that may help:
1. Salmon
Salmon may be beneficial for reducing anxiety. It contains vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which are nutrients that promote brain health. In addition, it can aid in the regulation of dopamine and serotonin production, providing a calming effect. And those fatty acids can help you to better handle anxiety-triggering stressors.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries are bursting with antioxidants and vitamin C which have been shown to provide anxiety relief. Moreover, vitamin C and antioxidants have been linked to improved brain health and reduced inflammation of cells that promote anxiety.
3. Yogurt
Some studies show that eating yogurt can improve brain function in regions that affect anxiety levels. Yogurt contains probiotics which helps to balance our “gut health”. It works by inhibiting free radicals and neurotoxins from out bodies.
4. Green Tea
Drinking green tea may help lower anxiety, according to some studies that have been published. Those researchers attributed the benefits to the combination of L-theanine (a compound found naturally in tea leaves) and caffeine. Because green tea is high in l-theanine, an amino acid that might reduce anxiety, some experienced consistently lower levels of stress and anxiety.
5. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate may help reduce stress and anxiety as it contains flavonols, which are antioxidants that may benefit brain function. As a results, flavonols improve blood flow to the brain and promotes its ability to adapt to stressful situations. One study suggested that flavonoids might reduce inflammation and cell death in the brain as well as improve blood flow.
6. Tumeric
The active ingredient in turmeric called curcumin, may help lower anxiety by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress that often increase in people experiencing mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
7. Chamomile
Chamomille has not only been linked to reducing stress and anxiety but also aids with insomnia. The relaxant and anti-anxiety properties come from the flavonoids present, just as mentioned about with dark chocolate. Flavonoids helps the brain relax in stressful situations.
