Nerve food: The 5 best foods to combat stress
The to-do list is getting longer and longer, the diary is getting fuller and fuller - our everyday lives are characterised by hectic and stress. If an unexpected event comes along or something doesn't go as planned, nerves are quickly frayed. There is usually no time for rest and relaxation. Something else that often falls by the wayside: A balanced diet. Instead, people prefer to turn to "nerve food" such as chocolate and the like for short-term relaxation. However, the right diet can help to calm the nerves and restore inner serenity.
We show you which foods prevent stress and provide your nervous system with all the important nutrients. So you can stay on top of things even in stressful situations.
Our brain is dependent on an adequate supply of glucose (dextrose). Our brain consumes around 140 g of glucose every day. This corresponds to around 75% of the total amount of glucose consumed by the body. This is despite the fact that the brain only accounts for around 2 % of our body weight. In stressful situations, this demand increases and our brain is constantly on the lookout for the next sugar boost. It is therefore important to provide the brain with sufficient and constant energy. Complex carbohydrates based on wholemeal (e.g. wholemeal bread or oatmeal) only enter the blood slowly and do not cause blood sugar levels to rise as much as the quickly available, isolated sugar from sweets. Our brain is thus supplied for longer and blood sugar fluctuations are avoided. At the same time, you provide your body with important nutrients. You are more focussed and balanced.
Although chocolate also contains tryptophan, the amount is rather small compared to other foods. In fact, eating chocolate is associated with positive memories of childhood. Chocolate can therefore certainly be described as a happiness booster, but the feelings of happiness are based less on the ingredients and more on our pleasant experiences.
If you want to do something good for your mind and body, go for dark chocolate or cocoa nibs. These contain significantly more health-promoting ingredients (e.g. polyphenols, which protect our blood vessels) and can - in moderation - be enjoyed without a guilty conscience.
Brainfood: Which vitamins and minerals are good for strong nerves?
Why are some foods good for the nerves and others not? The nerve-strengthening effect is mainly due to the nutrients they contain. Vitamins and minerals in particular play an important role in nerve function. But amino acids and essential fatty acids also have an influence on our brain and nervous system.
We show you which foods prevent stress and provide your nervous system with all the important nutrients. So you can stay on top of things even in stressful situations.
- Why sweets are not good food for your nerves
- Does chocolate make you happy
- Brainfood: Which vitamins and minerals are good for strong nerves
- Which amino acids influence the nervous system
- Nerve food: anti-stress remedies from the kitchen cupboard
- Power food: These 5 foods are good for strong nerves
Why sweets are not good food for the nerves
Chocolate and sweets are favourite companions in stressful times. However, they are not really suitable as brain food due to their high sugar content. Although they give you a short-term positive feeling and possibly an energy boost, the high dose of sugar in the blood leads to a strong release of insulin. This causes the blood sugar level to drop again quickly and the craving for the next chocolate bar increases.Our brain is dependent on an adequate supply of glucose (dextrose). Our brain consumes around 140 g of glucose every day. This corresponds to around 75% of the total amount of glucose consumed by the body. This is despite the fact that the brain only accounts for around 2 % of our body weight. In stressful situations, this demand increases and our brain is constantly on the lookout for the next sugar boost. It is therefore important to provide the brain with sufficient and constant energy. Complex carbohydrates based on wholemeal (e.g. wholemeal bread or oatmeal) only enter the blood slowly and do not cause blood sugar levels to rise as much as the quickly available, isolated sugar from sweets. Our brain is thus supplied for longer and blood sugar fluctuations are avoided. At the same time, you provide your body with important nutrients. You are more focussed and balanced.
Low carb and concentration
Anyone who has been on a low-carb or keto diet will be familiar with the phenomenon: by the third day at the latest, concentration is gone and a bad mood sets in. This is due to the fact that the brain lacks the important glucose in a low-carb diet. In this "emergency situation", our brain can fall back on ketone bodies to generate energy. However, this switch takes a few days, which is why concentration is impaired during this time.Does chocolate make you happy?
Chocolate is considered a happy food. Serotonin or its precursor, the amino acid tryptophan, is held responsible for this. The so-called "happiness hormone" serotonin has a mood-lifting effect and dampens negative feelings. Serotonin is obtained from tryptophan, which we mainly consume through protein-rich foods.Although chocolate also contains tryptophan, the amount is rather small compared to other foods. In fact, eating chocolate is associated with positive memories of childhood. Chocolate can therefore certainly be described as a happiness booster, but the feelings of happiness are based less on the ingredients and more on our pleasant experiences.
If you want to do something good for your mind and body, go for dark chocolate or cocoa nibs. These contain significantly more health-promoting ingredients (e.g. polyphenols, which protect our blood vessels) and can - in moderation - be enjoyed without a guilty conscience.
