Experts are warning that some foods can indeed aggravate anxiety and that it is best if they could be avoided at all costs!
These are the top 5 trigger foods which anxiety sufferers should keep at bay:
1. Wheat bran
Wheat bran is considered healthy mainly because of its fibre content, but it contains also a the very high concentration of phytic acid and because of that it is believed that it can aggravate anxiety.
Phytic acid is so called anti-nutrient which can bind important minerals for mood control, for example like zinc and limit their absorption.
Sufficient levels of zinc are especially important for anxious people, and it has been proven that zinc deficiencies are common in anxious people and can induce anxious behaviour.
Phytic acid is also found in whole grains and dried beans; but overnight soaking prior to cooking can help reduce this anti-nutrient.
2. Fermented foods
Fermented foods have been linked to increased anxiety in some people, and it is believed that the reason for this is the fermentation and aging process, during which the proteins in food are broken down, and one of the by-products of this breakdown is histamine.
An excess of histamine in the body can be experienced like a panic attack even more so if you have a sensitivity to it.
Beyond that, experts are warning that high levels of histamine can even cause inflammatory process in brain which can lead to anxiety disorder.
3. Coffee
Although coffee is very controversial some say that “coffee is like jet fuel for an anxious brain”.
Research has shown that people with anxiety disorder are particularly sensitive even to a very small amounts of the stimulant caffeine which is abundant in coffee.
Caffeine can also decrease the absorption of mood-balancing nutrients like vitamin D and vitamins B. So, when dealing with anxiety it is better to opt for a healthy alternative like decaffeinated herbal teas, especially calming anti-inflammatory chamomile tea.
4. Apple juice
Who would say that apple juice is a no no for anxiety sufferers? But it is!
And that is because, unlike whole fruits, apple juice is lacking slow-digesting fibre and is loaded with fructose. So when we drink apple juice it can easily cause a sudden increase in blood sugar levels and that triggers a release of huge amounts of the stress hormone adrenaline, which causes symptoms that look a lot like a panic or anxiety attack.
5.Red Wine
Even though a glass of wine or beer may temporarily help to calm an overstressed anxious mind, research suggests that this strategy may backfire long-term, by causing a dependency problem.
Even in the short-term, few glasses of red wine can cause sleep problems, dehydration or blood sugar swings and should be avoided by people suffering from anxiety.