Relief For Stress - Look in Your Kitchen

Researches show that stress is the most common health disorder in the United States. There are various options available for the relief of stress. A balanced nutritious food and simple deep breathing exercises are the simplest methods for stress relief. They are cost effective, easily available and are without side effects. Food that reduces stress acts mainly by their vitamins and mineral contents.

The changes associated with stress are:

Increase in the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol
Increase in blood sugar and cholesterol
Increase in the heart rate and blood pressure
Increase in the respiration
Accumulation of toxins like carbon dioxide and lactates
Emotional changes due to alteration in the brain chemistry
Gastro intestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome
Suppression of immunity

Researches show that vitamins like B complex, C and E along with minerals like manganese, selenium and zinc are helpful in relieving stress. The food items rich in these substances should be included. It is best to include plant sources of these essential nutrients.

The food items beneficial are:

Fresh vegetables mainly green, yellow, orange and leafy vegetables
Fresh fruits
Soups
Yoghurts
Fish
Sprouted grams
Skimmed milk
Herbal products

Food items which aggravate the signs and symptoms are to be avoided. These include:

Tea, coffee, cocoa
Junk foods and fast foods
Egg yolks
Butter, cheese , shrimps and meat
Coconut oil
Cashews almonds and other nuts
Beverages including soda, chocolate drinks and soft drinks.
Sugar
Alcohol

Tea, coffee, cocoa including chocolate drinks contain neuro stimulators like, caffeine and Theo bromine. Though these substances refresh a tired person, it is better to avoid all these items in stress. Moreover tea and coffee worsens peptic ulcer associated with stress.

Egg yolks contain high percentage of cholesterol and should be avoided in stress which itself increase the cholesterol levels. Butter, cheese, coconut oil cashews, almonds and meat are to be avoided for similar reasons.

Junk foods and fast foods are highly delicious food items are not balanced diets. They contain protein, fats and carbohydrates in inappropriate proportions and moreover they don't contain the essential vitamins and minerals.

Stress needs more of energy, vitamins and minerals also but in a balanced proportion.

Beverages including soda and soft drinks contain 'empty calories' which are useless and they also don't contain vitamins and minerals. In stress there is accumulation of carbon dioxide and lactates resulting in a condition called acidosis which is detrimental to health. The high content of carbon dioxide in beverages aggravates it.

Sodium benzoate is also more in beverages which should be avoided in hypertension associated with stress. Sugar should be avoided in stress as the person will be already having increased blood glucose levels with a higher risk of getting diabetes.

Alcohol destabilizes mind and is not ideal during stress. source.

Beyond Organic Healthy Food