Does eating sweets help reduce stress?

I work in an office and often experience stress. Can eating sweets help reduce stress? (Thu Quynh, Hanoi )

Reply:

Many studies show that eating sweets improves mood and reduces anxiety and stress. This is because the brain releases more feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, creating a pleasant feeling.

However, sugary foods only offer temporary relief and cannot replace stress-related treatments. Overuse often backfires, leading to chemical imbalances in the brain. This imbalance exacerbates depression and increases the risk of mental health disorders.

People who habitually eat sugary foods may experience mood swings if they stop abruptly. Side effects can include irritability, anxiety, confusion, fatigue, and depression. Withdrawing from sugary foods can have symptoms similar to withdrawal from other stimulants.

Eating sweets can improve your mood, but you shouldn't overdo it. Photo: Freepik

Sweets also cause weight gain, lipid metabolism disorders, blood sugar metabolism disorders, reduced immune function, increased risk of overweight and obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

A healthy diet helps keep the body healthy and manage stress (although the effects aren't immediate). Prioritize fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, and avoid overeating and foods that are difficult to digest. Digestive problems can worsen stress, and vice versa. Relaxation, yoga, getting enough sleep, spending time with friends, laughing more, thinking positively, and massages can all help reduce stress.

When psychological problems like stress become prolonged and more severe, you need to see a neurologist or psychologist for intervention.

Doctor Tran Thi Tra Phuong
Nutrihome Nutrition Clinic System

Readers can submit questions about neurological disorders here to receive advice from doctors.

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