Superfoods are healthy natural foods with a higher than normal amount of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. When you have ample nutrients to fuel your body, they become a natural defence for stress, powering you with stamina and vitality.
Here are some superfoods and products that are great for reducing stress:
Dark Chocolate
This one goes right at the top of the list! Research has found that dark chocolate helps to lower your overall stress levels by reducing rising stress hormones like cortisol. The abundance of antioxidants found in dark chocolate helps to lower your blood pressure and improve blood circulation. your blood vessel walls relax, lowering your blood pressure and improving your blood circulation. Bypass traditional milk and white chocolate varieties for dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content. The healthiest dark chocolates have high cocoa content, making it darker and tangier with the most concentration of antioxidants.
RevolutionHer Fave:
Try The FourX Better Chocolates, available in 5 delicious flavours and packed with vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants to keep you fuelled and healthy.
Berries
When you’re feeling stressed, you can often look haggard and pale - a little rough around the edges. The truth is, the inside of your body often matches how bad the outside looks. Berries are full of phytonutrients and antioxidants that can help improve your body’s response to stress by killing off free radicals - unstable atoms that can damage cells, causing illness and aging. Whether you choose blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries - you can easily add blueberries to your cereal in the morning, have them washed and ready for a quick snack, or try them frozen and add to your morning smoothie.
RevolutionHer Fave:
Double down on the health benefits and add mixed berries to Niyama Plant-Based Vanilla Protein Powder for a healthy smoothie option that will keep you feeling full and give you energy and vitality all day long!
Nuts & Seeds
We've long known that nuts like pistachios, walnuts, and almonds pack a lot of punch when it comes to quick protein pick-me-ups. Seeds also have that same effect; seeds like pumpkin, sunflower and flax provide an excellent source of magnesium, which helps to fight off fatigue, irritability and depression. For women in particular, eating seeds can help you combat PMS symptoms like mood swings, water retention, migraines and cramps.
Leafy Greens
You've definitely heard it before, but it's true now more than ever - for the biggest impact on your health and fighting off stress, make sure your daily diet includes green leafy vegetables. They not only help your body produce dopamine - a pleasure-inducing chemical that can help keep you remain calm under stress, but their astounding combinations of vitamins and minerals can also help you ward off anxiety and depression. You can't go wrong with any particular green leafy vegetable, but some popular choices include spinach, kale, swiss chard, and collards.
RevolutionHer Fave:
If you're always on the go or have digestive issues with leafy greens, try Niyama Goddess Greens & Superfoods which packs 53 organically grown land & sea veggies, fruits, medicinal mushrooms, and herbs into each scoop for 50% of your required daily intake in one delicious glass of Raspberry Lemonade flavoured juice!
Salmon or Trout
Meaty fish options like salmon and trout are flush with Omega-3 fatty acids, which have powerful anti-inflammatory properties to help you lower your stress and level out your hormones. Make sure you opt for ethically sourced wild-caught options, to ensure minimal mercury deposits and the richest source of the heart-healthy and brain-healthy fatty acids.