The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee
Food Is Meant to Stress You Out (That's a Good Thing) | Dr. Sharon Bergquist
Mar 25, 2025
Dr. Sharon Bergquist, an award-winning physician and author of "The Stress Paradox," explores the tricky relationship between food, stress, and health. She highlights how certain foods can create beneficial stress responses in the body. Discover the difference between good and bad stress, and why our diet choices matter. Learn about intermittent fasting, the role of exercise, and how embracing good stress can promote resilience and longevity. Her insights redefine stress as a potentially positive force in our lives.
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Quick takeaways
- Dr. Sharon Bergquist discusses how 'good stress' from foods like phytochemicals can enhance the body's health by managing inflammation and promoting repair.
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of embracing manageable challenges and activities that create 'good stress' for building resilience and improving overall well-being.
Deep dives
The Dual Role of Stress
Chronic stress contributes significantly to inflammation, which is a primary factor in various chronic diseases and premature aging. However, Dr. Sharon emphasizes the importance of 'good stress' as a counterbalance to the adverse effects of chronic stress. Good stressors, such as high-intensity interval training and consumption of plant phytochemicals, activate our body’s protective cellular responses, which ultimately help manage inflammation and improve health. The concept of good stress is crucial for building resilience, highlighting that a complete avoidance of stress is neither possible nor beneficial.
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