What do you do when you feel anxious? Have you noticed yourself turning to your favorite comfort food when you're stressed out? Food plays such a large part in your everyday life,
from biophysical development to social development, you often forget that it also plays a role in your mental health.
In moments of stress, it can be tempting to distract yourself with food
It can provide you some comfort and relief, but sometimes it can aggravate what you may already feel.
Before we begin, I would like to mention that this article is created for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute a professional diagnosis. If you suspect you may have an anxiety disorder or any mental health condition, I highly advise you to seek help from a qualified mental health professional.
So here are six foods that might be worsening your anxiety.
Number 1: Sugar.
Do you often find yourself reaching for something sugary when you feel stressed or tired? This may be because sugar suppresses activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis,
which can give you the temporary illusion of feeling more relaxed.
You may also be reaching for sweets
because you think it would give you
an extra boost of energy. However, studies have shown that it has no positive long-term impact on your mood.
A recent study found that it increased mood disorders in men and recurrent mood disorders in men and women.
Number 2: Coffee.
Can you go a day without a cup of coffee? I can't. Although there are many health benefits to coffee, studies have found a strong association between caffeine and anxiety.
A study found that coffee blocks adenosine, a brain chemical that makes you feel tired and triggers the release of adrenaline, resulting in anxiety.
Some of the symptoms you get
from drinking too much coffee are similar to symptoms of anxiety. Heart palpitations, nervousness, and restlessness are just some they have in common.
Number 3: Aged, fermented or cultured foods.
Did you know that cheese and cured meats can affect your anxiety? This is because, during the fermentation period, these foods release biogenic amines that accumulate the more it ages.
One of these amines is histamine, a chemical that helps your body get rid of allergens.
However, when you eat foods high in histamines, such as wine, cheese, and cured meats, it can produce an intolerance that can increase your adrenaline levels and lead to anxiety and insomnia.
Number 4: Nightshades.
Do you enjoy eating potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and berries?
Foods like these belong to a class of vegetables called nightshades.
While they have many health benefits, they're also known to produce their form of pesticide called glycoalkaloids.
This mainly targets earthworms and insects but can be harmful to humans because it blocks the enzyme that helps produce a neurotransmitter
necessary for you to sleep.
It may ultimately result in sleepless nights and more frequent bouts of anxiety.
Although nightshades carry this neurotoxin in small doses, it can accumulate over time if you eat them frequently.
Number 5: Gluten.
Do you tend to go for the gluten-free option when you eat? Gluten refers to a specific group of proteins found in cereal grains, such as wheat, rye, and barley.
It can cause intestinal inflammation
and also aggravate mental health issues.
There is literature linking celiac disease to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, though there is no exact explanation for how they are related.
Number 6: Processed foods.
Do you find it difficult to avoid processed foods? While they are convenient if you're in a rush or the mood for a snack, they can have adverse effects on your mental health.
This is because processed foods
like savory snacks and microwave-ready meals contain high amounts of sugars and fats.
Such high amounts of sugars can create spikes in your insulin levels and produce anxiety. Additionally, these foods are typically low in essential vitamins that are necessary for your brain.
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