Types Of Foods And Drinks That Are Good For Stress Relief

JAKARTA - Stress is something that is common to everyone. Stress itself is a person's reaction both physically and psychologically to a change that occurs in the environment.

Acute stress can have an impact on mental and physical health if not treated properly. Stress can increase the risk of various diseases such as heart disease to depression, for example.

But, did you know if there are some foods and drinks that can help relieve stress? Quoting information from the following Healthline page, VOI summarizes a list of stress-relieving foods and drinks that are also good for diet consumption.

Matcha

Matcha can be consumed as a stress reliever drink. This type of green tea is quite popular among health enthusiasts because it is rich in L-theanine, a non-protein amino acid with stress-reducing properties.

Matcha is a better source of amino acids than other types of green tea, because it is made from selected green teas grown in the shade. This process can increase the content of certain compounds, including L-theanine.

Sweet potato

You can also consume sweet potatoes as a stress reliever food. Sweet potatoes are a source of nutrient-rich carbohydrates that can help reduce levels of the hormone cortisol.

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of whole foods that contain carbohydrates and are packed with various stress-responding nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium.

Kimchi

Kimchi is a fermented food made from cabbage, a type of radish. Fermented foods such as kimchi are very good for consumption as a stress reliever because they contain good bacteria, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Many studies have shown that probiotic-rich foods like kimchi have a positive impact on mental health. Because there is an interaction between probiotics and the gut, which can directly affect your mood.

Egg

Eggs are considered a natural multivitamin because they are rich in various nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that the body needs as an antidote to stress.

In addition, eggs also contain choline which plays an important role for brain health. A study found that choline is very good at responding to stress and improving mood.

Shellfish

Clams are excellent as a stress reliever food. Shellfish is high in amino acids such as taurine which has the potential to improve mood. Taurine and other amino acids are needed to produce neurotransmitters such as dopamine which are important for regulating the stress response.

Fish

You can enjoy types of fish such as mackerel, herring, salmon, and sardines as stress-relieving foods because they contain lots of omega-3 fats and vitamin D, types of nutrients that have been shown to help reduce stress levels and elevate mood.

Lack of omega-3 and vitamin D can cause anxiety and increase the risk of depression.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a medicinal herb that has been used since ancient times as a natural stress reducer. The tea and its extracts have been shown to promote restful sleep and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Apart from that, chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Regular consumption of chamomile tea can also boost immunity.

Sunflower seed

Sunflower seeds are one of the easy to find stress-busting foods. Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E which functions as an antioxidant. Vitamin E deficiency can be associated with mood swings and depression.

Apart from vitamin E, stress-relieving foods like sunflower seeds also contain a variety of important nutrients such as magnesium, manganese, selenium, zinc, and B vitamins.