Certain foods can help reduce cortisol — the primary hormone responsible for stress.

Stressed is very bad for our mental and physical health. It is one of the key factors that determine our overall health outcome which is why it’s very important to keep it.

WHAT DOES CORTISOL DO?

Cortisol plays a number of roles in the body, including:

  • Regulating sleep cycles.
  • Reducing inflammation.
  • Increasing blood sugar.
  • Managing how the body uses carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
  • Controlling the blood pressure.

Cortisol is often known as the “stress hormone” because your adrenal gland releases it when you’re in a stressful situation, or when your body is under physical stress (like inflammation).

Cortisol is the key to helping your body manage its fight-or-flight instinct.

5 Foods that Relieve Stress

1. Salmon

The omega-3 fats in salmon help curb cortisol levels.

Cortisol, a hormone that’s released during stress, is usually linked to high levels of inflammation in the body.

Omega-3s are healthy fats that are anti-inflammatory and can help stop the surge of cortisol during stressful times.

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2. Steel Cut Oats

Steel-cut oats are the healthiest type of oats one can eat.

The oats are left whole and cut into pieces with a steel mill. Steel-cut oats are the least processed and therefore maintain the best texture when cooked. Creamy and comforting, this food is quick, filling, and delicious.

Add fruit, nuts, peanut butter, honey, or chocolate chips for a yummy twist!

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3. Sweet Potatoes

According to Healthline, eating whole, nutrient-rich carb sources like sweet potatoes may help lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Chronic stress can lead to cortisol dysfunction, which may cause inflammation, pain, and other adverse effects.

Even worse, it can lead to adrenal fatigue.

A study in women with excess weight or obesity found that those who ate a diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense carbs had significantly lower levels of salivary cortisol than those who followed a standard American diet high in refined carbs.

Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients that are important for stress response, including vitamin C and potassium.

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4. Pineapple

Pineapple, rich in nutrients and antioxidants, contains bromelain.

Bromelain is a digestive enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. The fruit also contains vitamin C which helps lower cortisol.

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5. Eggs

Eggs contain omega-3 fatty acids, choline that helps with brain function, and tryptophan that helps with serotonin release.

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ABOUT THE WRITER:

Elena Patestas is a journalist and writer for Valuetainment media. She attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and Adelphi University on Long Island, New York. She was born and raised in Roslyn, New York, and currently lives in Miami, Florida.

Elena is passionate about bringing positive change to our world and believes education is the root to solving many societal problems. After overcoming a chronic health condition, Elena became passionate about health and believes food is the key to preventing dis-ease and achieving optimum health.

Amongst her many goals, she hopes to bring positive, impactful change to our world to create a healthy, financially sound, and unified society.

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