Getting a Little Stressed Is Good for Cells: Load Up On These Foods to Battle Spells of Stress

Stress is never good for health, however experts at Northwestern University, US, have found that little stress may actually be good for you. According to the study, taking a little stress can boosts cell resilience and protect them against ageing, delaying the risk of diseases. The study was published in the journal Cell Reports and found that signals from mildly stressed mitochondria -- the cellular source of energy -- prevent the failure of protein-folding quality control (proteostasis) machinery that comes with age.

"People have always known that prolonged mitochondrial stress can be deleterious. But we discovered that when you stress mitochondria just a little, the mitochondrial stress signal is actually interpreted by the cell and animal as a survival strategy. It makes the animals completely stress-resistant and doubles their lifespan," noted Richard I. Morimoto, Northwestern University, US.

While we can't avoid stress completely, experts call for better stress management and ways to release stress. Some natural ingredients may go a long way in cutting the adverse effects of stress and help in managing it better, some of them are mentioned below.

1. Herbal Teas

Ingredients like peppermint, holy basil, chamomile, ashwagandha are laced with antioxidants and stress-alleviating properties. Make soul-soothing teas out of these and sip on these herbal potions twice a day to feel the difference.

2. Berries

Your daily meals should look as colourful as possible. Colourful fruits and veggies, including berries, are packed with a bevy of health benefiting properties and essential nutrients. Berries are loaded with antioxidants and compounds that may help beat stress.

3. Chocolate

What better way to beat stress? Experts from University of California, San Diego found that participants who felt depressive ate more chocolate. When consumed in moderation, chocolate can actually cheer you up.

4. Nuts

Walnuts and cashews can help you fight those bad mood swings. Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, these nutty delights are good for your brain and provide a cognitive edge.

Inputs from IANS