Anxiety is a mental health condition that typically causes feelings of worry, tension, and fear. For some people, anxiety may also cause panic attacks and severe physical symptoms, such as chest pain. Anxiety disorders are very common. They affect up to 40 million people in the U.S. according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Anxiety can be caused by several factors, including genetics, environmental factors, stress, side effects of medications, etc. Anxiety disorders can also be triggered by certain foods. These foods, some of which are considered healthy, can actually over stimulate the nervous system. Additionally, anxiety is caused by your nervous system doing too much.
Here are some of the foods that are likely to cause anxiety.
1. Coffee
One of the most popular foods known to cause anxiety disorders is coffee. Coffee is a highly concentrated dietary source of caffeine. Studies show that people with social anxiety are more sensitive to feeling nervous side effects from just little amounts of the stimulant.
Caffeine is known for triggering the body’s fight-or-flight response. Similar to the symptoms associated with anxiety, caffeine can also make you feel nauseous, nervous, jittery, light headed, and of course, anxious. If you are suffering from anxiety, it could be wise to avoid that morning cup of coffee and instead opt for a green juice or herbal tea.
2. Gluten
Gluten is a protein which is found in barley, wheat, and rye products. For many people with anxiety, gluten can also be a huge trigger for symptoms of anxiety. Research shows that people with gluten intolerances are at a higher risk for developing anxiety, depression, as well as mood disorders. If you are not sure whether or not you have gluten intolerance, you can speak to your doctor to ascertain that. Remember that cutting out gluten can make a huge difference between living with anxiety and managing it for the better so that it can blow up into panic attacks.
3. Dairy
While many people aren’t aware of this, but dairy products can actually trigger anxiety symptoms. Research shows that people who have anxiety say that they have noticed an increase in anxiety symptoms within a short time of consuming dairy products.
About 10% of adults are lactose intolerant, and many are thought to have difficulty digesting the casein which is found in cow’s milk. Dairy is generally inflammatory. It wreaks havoc on the digestive system, causing bloating, constipation, diarrhea, among many other things. So if you want to manage your anxiety, it is recommended to limit or avoid your dairy products consumption.
Final thoughts
If you have anxiety and you are looking for ways to manage it, you need to change how you eat. As mentioned, above there are certain foods that are known to trigger the symptoms of anxiety. Apart from the foods mentioned above, other foods that can cause anxiety include fried foods, apple juice, alcohol, processed foods, etc. So if you have anxiety and you want to live a peaceful and healthy life, then it is essential to avoid some of these foods if you notice that they are triggering your anxiety symptoms.
Recent Comments