Stress, which is now part of our daily lives, causes a lot of damage that often takes place insidiously. Some call it the "disease of the century" and in our modern society it manifests itself in an "epidemic" of burn-out, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, etc.

It is known that stress alters intellectual faculties such as attention, memorization, reflection or reactivity.

In addition to dietary supplements that can help, there are a series of anti-stress foods that can help soothe the body and mind and promote serenity and calm.

By nourishing your brain in an adequate way, you will allow your body to better manage the "aggressions" of your daily environment and to preserve its optimal functioning.

Above all, the brain needs oxygen, sugars and fats, but obviously "good sugars" and "good fats".

Good sugars are those with a low glycemic index that release glucose slowly into the bloodstream. They thus provide the main cerebral fuel in a constant way. This avoids fatigue, hunger pangs and loss of attention.

Foods rich in carbohydrates are also known to be anti-stress because they facilitate the production of serotonin. This neurotransmitter is a natural antidepressant and also combats anxiety. Cereals allow to combine anti-stress effect (brought by slow sugars) and fibers, themselves very useful for the transit, the regulation of cholesterol and the prevention of certain intestinal problems. Scientists increasingly consider the gut to be the "second" brain, which is why it is so important to take care of it. Well-chosen cereals also provide valuable minerals and many B vitamins that promote attention and memory.

You will find this type of sugar and all these useful nutrients in fruits and vegetables, in some cereals (prefer the old ones: kamut, buckwheat, quinoa), in legumes and in seeds.

As for the good fatty acids, they are mainly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), one of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids essential to the walls and functioning of neurons as well as to the transmission of nerve impulses throughout the neuronal circuits. It is mainly small wild oily fish that contain it. The omega-3 content is higher in wild animals than in farmed ones. No one is unaware of the importance of these natural molecules. They also facilitate the production of serotonin and have a positive effect on memory and nervous tension. Omega-3s, like certain B vitamins (B1, B6, B9 and B12), have the ability to lower cortisol and adrenaline levels. These two hormones are particularly high in people who are under constant, long-term stress.

For fish lovers, there is nothing like a good tartar or a carpaccio of salmon or raw tuna to calm the stress. For the others, there is always the solution to resort to the omega-3 through food supplements.

If fish is not the unanimous choice, dark chocolate makes more than one gourmand salivate and rightly so since it is an anti-stress food because of the magnesium and phenylethylamine it contains. This alkaloid is good for the morale. It is found, for example, in LSD or in some morphines! It is also secreted during sex and sports, which is much healthier!

Also completely safe: a dark chocolate bar with 70 or 80% cocoa, very rich in phenylethylamine and magnesium, unlike these dangerous drugs.

As for magnesium, its effectiveness can be reinforced by vitamin B6 which increases the synthesis of GABA (gamma butyric acid) and serotonin, two anxiolytic substances which preserve reactivity and protect against stress. This vitamin, pyridoxine, can be found in live brewer's yeast, in liver and in lesser proportions in dried vegetables, wholemeal bread, cereals and fish.

All these beneficial foods will be even more so if they are organically produced. Let's remember that all food coming from big industry is full of pesticides, additives and other toxic substances that turn out to be endocrine disruptors in the long run.