7 Foods That Cause Anxiety and You Didn't Know

The pace of life today tests our tranquility. With so many family and work commitments, it is logical to feel a little anxious. If that state of anxiety is mild and not persistent over time, the solution may be at your fingertips. But if it alters your quality of life, it is advisable to consult a specialist.

What is anxiety?

It is a feeling of worry, nervousness or fear of an event or situation. It is a normal reaction to stress. It helps you stay alert to a challenging situation and usually disappears when the problem goes away. But sometimes it makes us feel an unconscionable fear of a situation that does not involve danger, such as riding a bus. If the latter happens to you, seek professional help.

The secret may be in the food

Did you know that what you eat and drink can affect your anxiety levels? What you consume can mean the difference between feeling good or bad. Food plays a role in increasing the duration, severity, and frequency of depression and anxiety.

Other changes that help

Remember that in addition to what you eat, regular exercise, good sleep, social support, and stress reduction can help manage anxiety. Familiarize yourself with the foods and beverages listed below and then try to reduce or eliminate them from your meal plan. Always talk to your health care provider before changing your diet.

1. Coffee

Do you feel like you're on the verge of collapse? Coffee can be the culprit. This infusion, as well as black tea and energy drinks, make it harder to sleep. Caffeine releases the stress hormone (cortisol) that triggers the fight or flight response. And sleep is related to mood: the less you sleep, the grumpier you get.

What caffeine has

It can make you feel nervous, dizzy, and nauseous. It increases your blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature. It can cause nervousness, sweating, and tremors. It can also affect the absorption of vitamins D and B, nutrients that balance mood. Instead of a cup of coffee, try a caffeine-free herbal tea such as chamomile or a glass of green juice.

2. Sugar

Sugar hides in everything. And when you have a sugar shock it's like a caffeine shock: fast and strong. It can cause mood swings, difficulty concentrating, fatigue and palpitations. It's almost like you're in the early stages of a panic attack.

3. Artificial sweeteners

Aspartame is the common ingredient found in products such as diet soda and gum. It blocks the production of serotonin in the brain, the wellness hormone, which can cause insomnia, headaches, mood swings, anxiety and depression.

4. Foods with a lot of sodium

Too much sodium in the diet has been found to be harmful to the neurological system, causing fatigue, depression, panic episodes, and damage to the immune system. In addition, you should know that too much salt causes hypertension, fluid retention, swelling and weight gain.

5. Fried foods

Of course KFC's rich. But fried foods have little nutritional value and are hard to digest. Potatoes, squid, onion rings and fried chicken are usually cooked in hydrogenated oil, which is not heart- or waist-healthy. In addition, the consumption of fried foods is related to heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression.

Read also: 10 Foods That Help Reduce Anxiety

6. Packaged fruit juices

Unlike whole fruits, packaged fruit juices are loaded with fructose and lack fiber. You get a peak of blood sugar that causes adrenaline, the stress-related hormone.

7. Alcohol

A drink may seem like a good way to forget your worries. But alcohol can trigger both depression and anxiety. It causes spikes and drops in blood sugar, dehydrates you, and alters brain function. This can make you anxious, which will make you want to drink more. To calm your nerves, have a glass of chamomile tea.