10 Superfoods To Naturally Balance Cortisol Levels
1. Omega-3 fatty acids: Eating a diet rich in foods salmon, and sardines or supplementing with products like fish oil, DHA, and EPA can help keep your cortisol in check.
2. Dark Chocolate: Studies have found regular consumption of dark chocolate can improve mood, enhance gut microbiome diversity, and lower cortisol levels and the inflammation that excess cortisol causes.
3. Turmeric: The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has been shown to reduce cortisol levels. It's best consumed with piperine, found in black pepper, to increase its bioavailability.
4. Flaxseeds and Walnuts: Flaxseeds and Walnuts contain phytoestrogens, which can improve responses to stress by lowering cortisol and blood pressure, and may offer protection against atherosclerosis.
5. Green Tea: The specific polyphenol in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), is a powerful anti-inflammatory that has been shown to calm the body and mind thus lowering the cortisol.
6. Bananas: Bananas are rich in magnesium, essential for healthy blood pressure and restful sleep. They also contain tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin, which plays a crucial role in mood.
7. Probiotics Foods with live probiotic bacteria can reduce cortisol, lower oxidative stress, and improve gut health when you’re stressed, it helps balance hormones. Eating probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, fermented dairy, greek yogurt or pickled ginger can also be beneficial.
8. Garlic: Since it is a natural antibiotic and antiviral agent, garlic activates neuroprotective effects and significantly decreases the levels of stress-related hormones, including cortisol.
9. Pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium, which helps manage blood sugar for better hormone balance. Other seeds like fenugreek, chia, and sesame also promote hormone balance.
10. Onions: Onions are one of the most powerful foods for reducing cortisol levels as they contain sulfur compounds that have been shown to lower cortisol levels during stressful situations.