The worries and details of daily life, beyond our control, are the leading cause of anxiety. This disorder is more common in women than in men, but it can also occur in children. Stress episodes are related to external factors that we live in daily; it also has to do with the lifestyle we lead, the hours we dedicate to rest, and our diet. At FastlyHealwe, show you the foods that cause anxiety and that you should avoid if you want to relax.
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How does eating affect anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal reaction of our body to a stressful situation, but it becomes a problem when this alteration interferes with our daily tasks. The stress response is generated from a hormone called cortisol, responsible for metabolizing carbohydrates, preventing sodium loss, and creating memories of short-term emotional events.
However, an excess of this can have consequences such as not processing fats, insulin imbalance, increased appetite, and high levels of stress and anxiety. Some foods allow this hormone to be constantly released, causing pressure to rise and producing critical physiological changes. So it is essential to eat a balanced diet and practice some relaxation exercises to help you control anxiety and stress.
Foods to avoid
Here are the foods that cause anxiety; if you are constantly stressed or have trouble sleeping, you must avoid them:
- Caffeine is a drink that stimulates the central nervous system; it is addictive and produces restlessness and insomnia. It also increases blood pressure, and you can also find it in chocolate and some teas. Its nutritional contribution is zero, so you can avoid it in your diet.
- Sugar: it is another stimulating product that allows adrenaline to skyrocket, resulting in irritability, especially in children, difficulty in concentration, anxiety, and hyperactivity. Although the body needs glucose to fulfill some of its functions, these must come from fruits and not from sugary drinks, sweets, or pastries.
- Saturated fats and carbohydrates: frequently consuming foods rich in saturated fats can change the chemical activity of our brain, increasing sensitivity towards stressful situations and causing anxiety, depression, or stress. It can also cause cholesterol and obesity problems.
- Sodium: salt is the dressing par excellence; daily, no more than 5 grams of this product should be consumed since it alters blood pressure; it also allows water to accumulate in the body, generating pressure on the kidneys and arteries. It also decreases the production of potassium, which is essential for proper nervous and cellular function.
- Alcohol: although, at first, it seems that it has a relaxing effect on the body, its consumption in excess produces the opposite effect. Additionally, its caloric intake is high and does not provide any nutrients; on the other hand, it eliminates vitamin B, which is essential to balance stress and anxiety.
- Spicy is a stimulant, and its consumption in excess can irritate our internal organs and the emotional sphere.
- Energy drinks: these have a combination of caffeine and sugar, which trigger anxiety and significantly affect sleep and blood pressure.
Calming foods
On the other hand, you must know what the foods that can have a calming effect on anxiety are:
- Fatty acids: these will maintain a balance in the chemical activity of our brain and, therefore, will regulate anxiety. You can get it in walnuts, sunflower seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame, chia and pumpkin, seafood, tuna, salmon, and anchovies.
- Tryptophan: This amino acid helps us relax and allows the brain to produce serotonin, which leads us to experience well-being and tranquility, find it in bananas, chicken, milk, oats, soy, lentils, peas, eggs, and cheese.
- Vitamin B: the decrease in this vitamin in our body is related to depression and anxiety. Eat whole grains like barley, wheat, oats, spinach, radishes, cauliflower, meats, and legumes daily.
- Magnesium: Vegetables such as spinach, celery, chard, arugula, lettuce, and carbohydrates such as brown rice, as well as soy products, prevent an imbalance in glucose levels.
Home remedies for anxiety
We also recommend some natural remedies that will help you reduce anxiety levels and allow you to have a restful sleep:
- Passionflower: boil in half a liter of water and two tablespoons of dried leaves and drink it before sleeping.
- Valerian: remember that its smell and taste are pretty strong; if you prefer, you can take them in capsules. Prepare an infusion by boiling a tablespoon of dried leaves, let it steep, and drink three cups a day.
Nor should you forget:
- Take deep breaths.
- Maintain a balanced diet.
- Drinking water .
- Practice some relaxation exercises.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Foods that produce anxiety , we recommend that you enter our category of Mental Disorders .