People generally don’t care about what they are eating and how different foods affect their mental health. In general, some foods cause gastrointestinal problems, some cause cardiovascular disease, and some can have specific effects on the brain’s biochemistry.
We’ll tell you which foods increase your chances of anxiety and depression so you can avoid them and live a healthier life. And besides, if you are eating any such food, you should do so in moderation so as not to harm your mental health.
Caffeine
People with anxiety may find their problems exacerbated by consuming too much caffeine, reports report HuffPost.
“If a person suffers from anxiety or multiple stressors, be aware that excessive caffeine intake increases the cortisol response and can lead to adrenal fatigue,” said the licensed clinical. , which is a recipe for chronic stress and irritation, not to mention sleep problems.” Psychiatrist Dr. Brittany Jones.
According to research, consuming more than 250 mg of caffeine can increase anxiety.
For those who experience increased jitters or anxiety from coffee, caffeine in the form of matches can be a good alternative as it gives many people a sense of calm alertness.
diet soda
According to board-certified psychologist Jack Jospeter Jr., “Everyone loves a cold diet soda on a hot summer day, but the health concerns outweigh the benefits.”
“While we know that high-sugar sodas aren’t good for our health, diet sodas can actually be worse. Many of them contain phenylalanine, an additive chemical that blocks serotonin and dopamine. is known to disrupt brain neurochemistry by inhibiting the proper production of neurotransmitters, two molecules that we need for good mood.”
Jospetre also said: “In addition, these drinks contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, which is a known neurotoxin and can increase stress hormones such as cortisol, as well as free radicals in the brain. can.”
Processed
Aura De Los Santos, a clinical and educational psychologist, maintains that when she consumes certain processed foods — in her case, pancake mix from the grocery store — it exacerbates her anxiety.
“One food that aggravates my anxiety is a box of pancake batter from the supermarket,” she said.
“For breakfast, I enjoy eating pancakes, but I’ve noticed how swollen and uncomfortable my body becomes when I eat them two days in a row. The bloating is very uncomfortable. It’s relaxing, and it negatively affects my mental health.”
Ultra-processed foods alter the bacteria in the gut that interact with our immune system and cause chronic inflammation.
Sugary and starchy
According to a 2015 study by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Sugary and starchy foods can lead to depression.
Jason Phillips, a licensed clinical social worker, said: “I won’t eat candy like Tootsie Rolls or candy corn.”
“This Halloween-type candy is too sweet, and sugar increases inflammation in the body, which is linked to depression.”
Sugars from fruit are different than artificial sweeteners, and another study found that people who snacked on fruit were less likely to show symptoms of depression.