{"id":7909,"date":"2025-04-04T09:16:52","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T13:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/?p=7909"},"modified":"2025-04-04T11:02:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T15:02:49","slug":"new-study-reveals-foods-that-can-help-relieve-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/new-study-reveals-foods-that-can-help-relieve-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"The Psychobiotic Diet’s Role in Stress Reduction"},"content":{"rendered":"

When we\u2019re under a lot of stress, it\u2019s hard to be our best. Stress can affect us mentally, showing up in the form of anxiety or depression. It can impact us physically as well, sometimes leading to chest pains, headaches, high blood pressure, digestive issues, and weakened immunity. (1<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Finding ways to resolve the source of your stress is key to eliminating it from your life, or at least reducing its effects. But recent research has also found that eating certain foods may help reduce the tension you feel. Learn why, as well as which foods are good for stress relief.<\/p>\n

The Connection Between Diet and Stress<\/h1>\n

It\u2019s not uncommon to want to eat when you feel stressed. For some, eating is a way to distract themselves from the tension or angst they feel. But there\u2019s a biological reason too. When your body is under stress, it increases the release of the stress hormone cortisol.<\/p>\n

Cortisol is responsible for your \u201cfight-or-flight\u201d response and once this response is initiated, your brain wants to make sure your body has enough fuel to respond effectively. Although this is good from a survival standpoint, it\u2019s not so good from a health standpoint because cortisol often causes you to crave foods that aren\u2019t exactly healthy\u2014mainly those high in sugar, salt, and fat. (2<\/a>)<\/p>\n

To be clear, not everyone eats more when under stress. Some actually eat less. For instance, you may no longer have an appetite when in stressful situations. Or you might avoid food because eating makes you feel nauseous or ill.<\/p>\n

Research on the Psychobiotic Diet<\/h2>\n

Research also suggests that connection goes the other way as well. Not only does stress impact our diet, but our diet can also impact our feelings of stress.<\/p>\n

In this 2022 study, individuals with poor dietary habits reported a 32% reduction in the amount of stress they felt after following a psychobiotic diet for four weeks, compared to only a 17% reduction in individuals not following this same type of eating plan. (3<\/a>) And the more the subjects adhered to the diet, the greater their level of stress reduction.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s thought that the psychobiotic diet helped reduce stress by positively affecting gut-brain communication.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

In simple terms, this means that the food consumed caused the gut to send signals to the brain that reduced feelings of stress.<\/p>\n

Foods for Stress Relief<\/h2>\n

So, what foods reduce stress and anxiety? A psychobiotic diet is high in fiber and prebiotic foods, which also tend to be higher in vitamins, minerals, and other healthy nutrients.<\/p>\n

\"Eating<\/p>\n

This diet involves consuming primarily:<\/p>\n