Dark Chocolate Offers an Antioxidant-Rich Indulgence

Number two among one of the best foods to help fight stress is the dark chocolate. Dark chocolate in the diet can help to alleviate stress in two ways: chemically and emotionally. According to Meyerowitz, simply savoring a piece of chocolate feels like such an indulgence, and that feeling alone might help to relieve stress. According to a study that monitored people who ate roughly 1.5 ounces (oz) of dark chocolate each day for two weeks, dark chocolate may help reduce stress by lowering stress hormone levels in the body. However, Meyerowitz recommended that dark chocolate be used in moderation. That implies one-fourth of a tiny dark chocolate bar should suffice (about 1 oz). Make sure the bar doesn't have an excessive amount of added sugar, according to Figueroa.

She also emphasizes the importance of selecting high-quality dark chocolate. You've probably heard of the "bean-to-bar" trend, which emphasizes high-quality ingredients and in-house control over every element of the chocolate production process. This "farm-to-table" technique ensures that the bar contains only natural ingredients with no added chemicals or additives. Only two or three components, such as cacao beans, cane sugar, and cocoa butter, should be found on the label.