Products that increase anxiety have been identified

Anxiety on a plate: nutritionist named foods that increase anxiety

Coffee, alcohol, sweets, and fast food can become invisible triggers of anxiety states, warns Julia Zumpano, a certified dietitian from the Center for Human Nutrition at Cleveland Clinic in an interview with Parade magazine.

The expert emphasizes that the connection between nutrition and emotional state often remains in the shadows, although scientific data convincingly proves this relationship. Highly processed foods, fried dishes, sugary foods, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages not only negatively affect blood sugar and cholesterol levels but can also provoke conditions ranging from mild anxiety to full-blown anxiety attacks.

Instead of radical dietary restrictions, Zumpano recommends a gradual approach: moderately reducing caffeine consumption, cooking at home more often, and carefully tracking your eating habits. A food diary can be a practical tool, helping to establish the connection between specific foods and well-being.

The dietitian notes that there are also foods with the opposite, calming effect. Chamomile tea promotes relaxation, and foods rich in tryptophan (cherries, bananas, nuts) help achieve mental balance. Sources of magnesium have similar properties.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which are abundant in fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds, play a special role in combating anxiety. Scientific research confirms that systematic consumption of these products can significantly reduce the manifestations of anxiety states.