Six Foods that Increase Stress

Stress currently affects 70% of the world’s population.  Did you know that there are foods that can increase the sense of anxiety and nerves that overtake you?

It’s not just work…

It’s not just work related tasks, your kids’s mischief, or household bills that increase this modern society disease, but what you eat also plays a part in it.

It is therefore important that you know which dietary products you should consume in moderation.  Remember, eating doesn’t just mean satiating your hunger, it is also a way to chose if you want to be healthy or not.

Below is a list that the Huffington Post has published regarding which foods and beverages increase stress.

Foods that Increase Stress

1. Energy drinks

They are loaded with sugar and caffeine, according to the article, which is one of the worst choices you could make.  Nervousness and a sense of exhaustion are immediate consequences.  Drinking one energy drink is equal to drinking 3 cups of tea or coffee, which in the end causes insomnia and worsens tension.

2. Coffee

The same thing occurs with this drink as with energy drinks, and if accompanied by large amounts of sugar, it’s even worse.

3. Spicy food

This website points out that individuals that easily get stressed out are often times incapable of properly processing food.  They then go on to explain that it would be much more difficult for these individuals to consume spicy food, because they have slower digestion.

4. Sweets

Sugar contributes to elevated stress-related hormones, like cortisol.  “Insulin spikes that accompany sugar consumption could cause irritability”, affirms the Huffington Post.

5. Alcohol

Alcohol stimulates cortisol production, a hormone frequently released as a response to stress, confirmed one study published in 2008 by the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology.  That’s why, beyond relaxing you, one glass could also send your anxiety to unexpected levels.

6. French Fries

They are rich in carbohydrates, sodium and fats.  French fries provide energy, but later on they only cause complications and more anxiety, explains the Huffington Post.

What to eat

If the list above is not necessarily in your best interest, take note, because we are going to give you some other options that do help reduce stress.

Bananas

This fruit is a very important source of vitamins and minerals, like potassium, iron, calcium and magnesium.  They also contain antioxidant vitamins, (A, B and C).  Just one banana provides 1/5 of all your daily vitamin C needs.

Avocado

This fruit contains 60% more potassium than a banana.  It regulates blood pressure, and therefore prevents heart attacks or strokes.

Apples

Apples contain vitamin B-1, which helps control constant mood changes and prevents stress.

Nuts and Fish

These seeds help reduce tension, and fish and seafood have a direct balancing effect on the psyche, due to the selenium and zinc contained therein.

Spinach

Spinach a leafy green vegetables are rich in vitamins A and C, they have considerable amounts of B-complex vitamins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper. 

Revised by: Dra. Loredana Lunadei on 05/18/2018

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