If you suffer from anxiety, you probably already know that yoga, meditation and exercise can help. But you may not be aware that certain foods can also be helpful in fighting generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Foods that fight anxiety
According to Medical News Today, there are nine foods in particular that can help with GAD’s psychological and physical symptoms, such as irritability, fear, tension, heart palpitations, difficulty concentration, excessive worry, muscle tension, chest tightness and issues with personal and work relationships. These foods include:
- Pumpkin seeds: Two particular components in pumpkin seeds make them helpful in fighting anxiety. First, they’re high in zinc, which is essential for nerve and brain development. Did you know that the body’s largest zinc storage sites are brain regions involved with emotions? Pumpkin seeds are also rich in potassium, which helps manage blood pressure and regulate electrolyte balance.
- Dark chocolate: Although no one is sure how it works, dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) has been shown to fight anxiety. It’s high in tryptophan, which helps boost mood, and flavonoids, which might reduce inflammation in the brain and improve blood flow.
- Eggs: High in vitamin D, protein and tryptophan, eggs contain multiple components that can help boost mood.
- Green tea: Rich in the amino acid theanine, green tea has calming effects and is believed to boost dopamine and serotonin production.
- Turmeric: Turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, is believed to help anxiety by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Yogurt: Since there are theories that chronic inflammation may contribute to anxiety, stress and depression, it makes sense that yogurt’s anti-inflammatory effects would help.
- Chamomile: Although research has found that chamomile can reduce anxiety symptoms, it hasn’t been shown to prevent new episodes. Still, it’s worth try the herbal tea as it has been globally to help with relaxation.
- Brazil nuts: Perhaps best known for their rich selenium content, brazil nuts are thought to improve mood by reducing inflammation.
- Fatty fish: Fish that is high in omega-3 has been shown to help with mental health. Just be careful not to each too much omega-6 without enough omega-3, as that can increase mood disorders.
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