Foods rich in vitamin C, like blueberries, strawberries and oranges, can help combat stress! A German study of 120 people found that those given vitamin C had lower blood pressure and lower levels of cortisol after giving a speech and doing hard math problems than those who did not receive the stress-busting vitamin. Add a handful of berries to your morning meal of oatmeal or yogurt to start your day off on a stress-free note!
Other sources of vitamin C: peaches, papayas, red and green peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and orange and grapefruit juices. And remember, vitamin C is an important nutrient in your diet for more reasons than reducing stress. It helps prevent colds, rebuilding tissue, bones and blood vessels, and also boosts the body’s ability to use calcium and other minerals. So don’t skimp on your C!
