Chronic stress lasting weeks or more causes significant damage to the body, manifesting as headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, and sleep disturbances, along with accelerating the aging process.

Continuous stress harms cells, increases harmful inflammation, and disrupts the body’s repair processes, acting like an internal alarm that never stops.

Nutritionist Nicolette Peace offers dietary solutions to combat three common signs of stress: wrinkles, bloating, and brain fog.

Excess sugar is a major factor in skin aging through a process called “glycation,” which produces compounds that damage proteins like collagen and elastin, leading to loss of elasticity, wrinkles, and sagging.

Peace recommends reducing sugar and incorporating complete proteins from sources like beef, eggs, and chicken with foods rich in vitamin C to boost collagen production that supports skin, bone, and tendon health.

Stress causes bloating, along with other factors such as acid reflux, food sensitivities, and some medications. Peace advises eating foods containing enzymes like ginger (contains gingerol), papaya (contains papain), and pineapple (contains bromelain), which break down proteins into smaller components, improving digestion and reducing bloating. She also recommends celery for its diuretic properties and ability to hydrate the digestive system and improve motility.

Brain fog affects concentration and memory, causing mental distraction. Peace recommends foods rich in lutein, an antioxidant that supports brain and eye health. These include spinach, dark leafy greens, and orange/yellow carotenoids such as carrots, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and sweet potatoes, which improve memory and focus.