A healthy diet may help reduce workplace stress

Monday, 18 July 2011 16:00

News - Employee Wellness

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There are a multitude of ways that employers can help maintain a healthy staff, including implementing employee wellness programs, encouraging physical activity and providing nutritious food in vending machines and cafeterias.

Researchers at Ohio State University recently conducted a study which suggests that a healthy diet may do more than improve the physical health of an employee - it can also help reduce workplace stress.

A team of scientists tested the effects of daily omega-3 supplements on a group of medical school students, to see whether the fish oil would have any effect on their anxiety levels.

"The supplement was probably about four or five times the amount of fish oil you'd get from a daily serving of salmon, for example," said co-author Martha Belury.

The researchers found that participants who were taking the supplements experienced 20 percent less anxiety when compared to students who were given placebos. Additionally, fish oil appeared to significantly reduce markers of inflammation, excess levels of which have been associated with cancer and Alzheimer's disease, among other conditions.

Results of this study suggest that educating employees on healthy eating habits may improve employee wellness while cutting down on workplace stress.