Jerry Daskoski shares a list of seven superfoods that are excellent to help you reduce stress and improve your mental health.

1. 7 Superfoods
that Relieve Stress
Jerry Daskoski

2. Finding the Right Fuel
To Reduce Stress
Life will undoubtedly present you with unexpected and
unavoidable sources of stress. Stress has serious consequences
not just for you emotional comfort, but in terms of your mental
and physical health as well. To mitigate the effect of stressful
scenarios, there are certain healthy habits it is important to
maintain.
One of the most important things you can do is ensure that your
diet is chock-full of foods that can help keep you feeling
empowered and positive. These seven superfoods are just a few
healthy (and tasty!) options for you to explore!

3. Blueberries
Research indicates that
blueberry eaters experience a
boost in a type of white blood
cell that plays a vital role in
immunity, which is critical for
countering stress. The
antioxidants and
phytonutrients found in berries
are an incredible asset to your
health and well-being.

4. Salmon
The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon
have anti-inflammatory
properties that may help
counteract the negative effects of
stress hormones. The National
Institutes of Health conducted a
study that found participants who
took omega-3 supplements had a
20% reduction in anxiety
compared to a group given placebo
pills.

5. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate might have the
power to regulate your stress levels.
Research shows that it can reduce
stress hormones like cortisol. The
antioxidants in cocoa trigger the
walls of your blood vessels to relax,
lowering blood pressure and
improving circulation. Dark
chocolate also has unique natural
substances that create a sense of
happiness. Choose chocolate that
contains at least 70% cocoa.

6. Cashews
One ounce of the buttery nut packs
11% of the daily recommended
value of zinc, an essential mineral
that may help reduce anxiety.
When researchers gave zinc
supplements to people who were
diagnosed with both anxiety
symptoms (irritability, lack of
ability to concentrate) and deficient
zinc levels over a course of eight
weeks, the patients saw a 31%
decrease in anxiety

7. Avocado
Avocado can help stop stress-
eating by filling your belly and
making you feel satisfied. A
study in 2014 found that
participants who added half an
avocado to their lunches
enjoyed a reduction in their
desire to eat more by 40% for as
many as three hours following
the midday meal.

8. Yogurt
In 2013, a research team at UCLA
conducted a study among 36 healthy
women that revealed consuming
probiotics in yogurt reduced brain
activity in areas that handle
emotion, including stress, compared
to people who consumed yogurt
without probiotics or no yogurt at
all. Yogurt is full of calcium and
protein (in addition to probiotics), so
you will usually do well to include
more of it in your diet.

9. Pistachios
The rhythmic movement of
shelling these nuts will help you
relax. Additionally, pistachios
have heart-healthy benefits.
Eating pistachios may reduce
acute stress by lowering blood
pressure and heart rate.
Pistachios contain key
phytonutrients that offer
antioxidant support for
cardiovascular health.