Overhead view of whole almonds arranged on a white background
FOOD NEWS
Why Almonds Are Considered Stress Relievers And How Many To Eat In A Day
By Crystal Antonace
From eating ice cream when we’re heartbroken to sipping chicken noodle soup when we’re sick, many studies have shown that what we eat can change our mental and physical state. Almonds are actually a food that can help alleviate extreme feelings of stress and anxiety, and here’s why.
According to Courtney Barth, a registered dietician, cortisol is the hormone our body releases during stressful situations, and we can manage our cortisol levels by eating foods rich in fats and essential vitamins, such as almonds. Eating an ounce of almonds (roughly 23 nuts) daily includes doses of magnesium to support heart health and vitamins B and E to boost brain health.
One 2020 study found regular almond consumption can suppress the risk of cardiovascular disease by positively affecting your heart rate in relation to mental stress. The essential vitamins found in almonds allow our bodies to work and perform at their best, but if you’re not a fan of almonds, you can also eat fish, like salmon or mackerel, and berries to reduce unwanted stress.