Foods that lower cortisol levels and help us control stress and anxiety

Food is the fuel for our bodies , and maintaining a balanced diet tailored to our needs is essential for feeling good both physically and mentally.

Leading a busy lifestyle, both in our personal and professional lives, inevitably leads to stress and anxiety . Although the best solution is always to seek professional help, there are foods that can help us control cortisol levels and live more relaxed lives.

What is cortisol and how does it affect our body?

It is known as the stress hormone , and it is responsible for keeping us alert in times of threat, so when we are stressed, our body feels alert and generates cortisol.

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Although it is a hormone that our body secretes naturally, excess cortisol is not at all beneficial to health , as it can cause a dangerous alteration of the immune system, which can trigger the dreaded inflammation process (a precursor to a number of serious diseases).

In addition to various relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation , there are also some foods that help us keep cortisol production at bay, and we'll tell you which ones.

7 foods to reduce cortisol

As reported by Integrative Nutrition, there are some foods that can help us control cortisol, such as green tea , since it has a high content of L-theanine, an amino acid that helps alleviate stress and anxiety levels.

"Several studies have linked high doses of vitamin B with decreased stress levels due to its ability to regulate the adrenal glands," they state on this page, so we shouldn't lose sight of lean proteins like chicken, eggs, turkey, and fortified cereals.

Fish provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, which prevent cortisol levels from rising during anxiety attacks. "In fact, studies have found that fish oils inhibit adrenal activation caused by stress," explains Institutive Nutrition.

Avocados are rich in magnesium, which helps regulate blood pressure, and leafy greens like kale, spinach, and chard are rich in folate, which "helps the body produce mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine."

In the case of seeds , they are also foods that help us control cortisol, since they have a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, and several varieties (including almonds and sunflower seeds) have a high content of vitamins A, C and E. "These vitamins can help prevent brain cell damage , allowing it to interpret stressors more accurately, which translates into less unnecessary stress for the body," they assure from IIN.

Fermented foods are also good allies for controlling cortisol, as some products like kombucha, yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi provide us with probiotics that are beneficial for our gut.

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