The Mercury

Four foods to eat when you’re stressed

- VIWE NDONGENI-NTLEBI

CHANCES are if you are not having a good day, you will reach out for comfort food to help boost your mood. But health experts warn against that as it may have the opposite effect. The quick fix such as sweets, chips or caffeine usually leaves us feeling more sluggish. Here is a list of foods that you should eat:

Research suggests that folic acid deficiency can suppress the production of S-adenosylme­thionine, a compound that helps produce serotonin and dopamine.

When you’re stressed out, the mood-regulating neurotrans­mitter serotonin takes a hit. The B6 found in oats is important to keep your brain focused and energised.

High fibre foods, they’re also packed with vitamin C, an antioxidan­t which has been proven to help people cope with stressful situations.

Red peppers boast a high amount of vitamin C – just one cup has over three times the recommende­d daily intake of the nutrient. |

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