Are you constantly worrying about something? Do you find it difficult to sleep because of your racing thoughts? Are you feeling a little blue for no apparent reason? If so, you might be dealing with anxiety or depression. These two mental illnesses are fairly common, affecting millions of Americans every year. Both can have serious effects on our everyday lives and the way we see the world around us. Fortunately, there are foods that can help combat these conditions! Not only do specific types of food ease symptoms, but also incorporating them into your diet on a regular basis can reduce the chance of developing either again in the future. In this article, we’ll take a look at what affects both anxiety and depression and how they can be combatted with healthy eating habits.
Why Do I Get Shaky When I Don’t Eat?
I have to ask this because I’m having a problem with my blood sugar. I’m trying to figure out what’s going on and why it happens. The first thing that comes to mind is that when I get hungry and don’t eat, my blood sugar drops very low. And when it drops too low, it causes me to get shaky. This happens even if I eat something right away after not eating for a while. But if I wait until later in the day, then my blood sugar is fine again and I don’t get shaky anymore. It’s not a big problem because I can always eat something later but I just want to know what’s going on.
Foods That Help Fight Anxiety
1. Ginger –
Ginger is a good source of anti-inflammatory compounds that help you relax and calm down. It’s also considered a natural anti-anxiety remedy. – According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, ginger can decrease anxiety and reduce stress. This is because it boosts your levels of serotonin and dopamine, which are hormones that help regulate emotions. – Ginger may also be useful in treating depression. A study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that it helped relieve symptoms of depression in people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
2. Turmeric –
Turmeric is another spice that’s rich in anti-inflammatory compounds called curcuminoids, which have been shown to fight off anxiety disorders without causing any side effects or withdrawal symptoms when taken at recommended doses for four weeks or longer by healthy people over the age of 18. – A study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research found that curcumin was effective at alleviating symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), including restlessness and muscle tension.
3. Cocoa –
Cocoa is a rich source of flavonoids, which are potent antioxidants that protect your brain against free radical damage caused by stress and anxiety. – According to a study published in the journal Biological Psychology, flavonoids help relax muscles and reduce anxiety symptoms in people with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
4. Turmeric Tea –
Turmeric tea is an excellent way to get the anti-inflammatory compounds called curcuminoids from turmeric into your body without having to chew or swallow capsules. You can simply steep some black tea in hot water until it’s steaming hot, add some turmeric, let it steep for five minutes, and then enjoy! – According to a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, turmeric tea is also effective at relieving anxiety symptoms in people with generalized anxiety disorder.
5. Chia Seeds –
Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, an essential fatty acid that’s important for brain health and cognitive function. It’s also rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that help protect your brain from the damage caused by stress and anxiety. – According to a study published in the journal Frontiers of Psychiatry, chia seeds can relieve symptoms of GAD, including restlessness and muscle tension.
6. Parsley –
Parsley is an excellent source of iron, which plays a key role in oxygen transportation throughout your body and helps produce red blood cells. It’s also rich in vitamins C and K, which are antioxidants that help prevent free radical damage to your body caused by stress or other environmental factors (such as pollution). – According to a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, parsley is effective at relieving anxiety symptoms in people with generalized anxiety disorder.
7. Lycopene –
Lycopene is an antioxidant that’s found in tomatoes, watermelon, and other colorful fruits and vegetables. It’s also found in red wine and is best known as an anti-inflammatory agent that helps prevent blood vessel damage caused by chronic stress or other environmental factors (such as pollution). – According to a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, lycopene is effective at alleviating anxiety symptoms in people with generalized anxiety disorder.
8. Vitamin B6 –
Vitamin B6 plays a key role in converting tryptophan into niacin (also known as vitamin B3), which is an essential nutrient for your brain that plays a key role in neurotransmitter production and neurotransmitter function. It also helps produce serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that play an important role in regulating mood and behavior. – According to a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, vitamin B6 is effective at relieving anxiety symptoms in people with generalized anxiety disorder.
Foods that Help Combat Depression
1. Dark Chocolate
Chocolate can help combat depression by improving your energy, reducing stress, and promoting a healthy mood. – Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, which are nutrients that help fight disease. – Antioxidants fight inflammation and thus combat depression. – Dark chocolate contains the amino acid phenylalanine, which helps produce serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and fight depression.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries contain anthocyanins, which have been shown to help fight depression. – Anthocyanins are thought to reduce the risk of depression by increasing feelings of contentment and well-being. – Blueberries contain the amino acid tryptophan, which helps produce serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and fight depression.
3. Nuts
Nuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help combat depression. – Studies show that people who eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids have a lower risk of developing depression than those who do not consume enough omega-3s. – Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to improve brain function, which can help improve memory and cognitive abilities, including thinking skills and attention span.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli contains sulforaphane, which has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression by increasing feelings of happiness and reducing stress levels (1). – Sulforaphane is a naturally occurring compound in broccoli that has been shown to help fight depression. – Studies show that sulforaphane reduces symptoms of depression by increasing feelings of happiness, reducing stress levels, and improving mood (1).
5. Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, which has been shown to help combat depression by reducing stress and improving mood (2). – Studies show that curcumin is effective at reducing symptoms of depression in people with mild to moderate depression. – Curcumin helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress by reducing inflammation (2) (3) (4). – Curcumin also improves brain function and cognitive abilities, including thinking skills and attention span.
Conclusion
A healthy diet can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, but it is not a substitute for medical treatment. If you are feeling stressed or depressed, it is important to speak to a doctor. They can help you to determine if you need to take medication or if you are experiencing a normal reaction to stress. Similarly, if you are experiencing anxiety, it is important to seek medical help, as this condition can have serious health consequences if left untreated. A healthy diet is one of the best ways of maintaining good mental health. For the best results, follow a low-sugar, whole-food diet that incorporates plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.