8 Foods That Cause Anxiety

1. Fruit juices – Fruit juices can provide your body with several necessary vitamins and minerals but are also filled with sugar. Sugar can cause your glucose levels to spike and then crash quickly. In the beginning, the glucose hypes you up, making you feel on edge. Then, when your body processes the sugars found in fruit juice (which happens quickly), your energy levels and mood will plummet.

 

Consuming fruit juices can cause you to feel hungry, stressed, and angry, all of which can exacerbate your anxiety. Opt for whole fruits and vegetables instead of reaching for fruit juice to provide your body with vitamins and minerals. Eating whole foods rather than juices slows down how fast the body processes these items and reduces the risk of anxiety. 

2. Caffeine—Millions of Americans drink multiple caffeinated drinks daily and eat caffeine-free foods. What many people do not realize is that their cup of coffee, a glass of soda, a cup of tea, an energy drink, or a chocolate bar could be causing or worsening their anxiety levels.

 

Caffeine is a psychoactive drug that has been shown to stimulate and trigger the fight-or-flight response. When this occurs, the body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which naturally increases blood pressure and heart rate. Furthermore, cortisol can increase anxiety and restrict sleep, which can worsen your anxiety levels. 

Consuming caffeine can make you nervous, jittery, nauseous, and lightheaded. Instead of reaching for caffeinated coffee, soda, or tea, opt for a decaf cup of joe, a decaffeinated soda, or herbal tea. 

3. Gluten—Gluten is a protein found in various grains, including wheat, barley, and rye. Although most people can digest gluten, some cannot, which can cause several side effects. Those who suffer from gluten intolerance or celiac disease are at an increased risk of mood disorders, including anxiety. 

When you consume gluten, it can trigger inflammation throughout the body and can cause brain atrophy. When this occurs, the risk of anxiety increases exponentially. Switching to a gluten-free diet can relieve anxiety and depression symptoms, especially if you are not responding to the traditional anxiety treatment methods. 

If you are experiencing digestive disturbances and anxiety, talk with your healthcare practitioner about whether gluten sensitivity may be causing your anxiety. Your doctor may recommend trying an elimination diet to determine if a gluten intolerance or celiac disease is negatively affecting your mood and increasing your anxiety. 

4. Alcohol – Consuming large amounts of alcohol or imbibing alcohol too often can increase the risk of anxiety symptoms. Many people think that drinking alcohol helps them relax; however, excess amounts of alcohol can reduce the amount of sleep you get each night. Furthermore, large amounts of alcohol can be toxic and can negatively impact brain function and mental health. 

Alcohol reduces the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters. Furthermore, it can cause your nervous system to become hypersensitive. When alcohol is consumed, it can cause dehydration, which can increase the risk of brain atrophy. 

Consuming alcohol can impact your glucose levels. The sugars in alcohol can cause high glucose levels. As the body processes these sugars quickly, blood glucose levels can crash. These changes in glucose levels can affect your mood, cause you to feel edgy, and increase the risk of anxiety.  

5. Dairy products—Dairy products like milk and cheese provide your body with vitamin D and calcium; however, casein (a protein that naturally occurs in dairy products) can cause inflammation throughout the body, including the brain. This is especially true in individuals who have a milk allergy or sensitivity.

 

If you have a milk sensitivity or a milk allergy and suffer from anxiety, eliminating bovine dairy products from your diet can help. Replace these dairy products with almond, cashew, or soy-based milk products and see if your anxiety decreases. You can also try goat's milk and cheese to see if you react.

6. Sodium –Too much sodium in your diet can negatively impact your neurological system, causing many health issues, including fatigue and sleep issues. Your brain requires plenty of sleep to produce neurotransmitters and hormones for optimal mental health.
When you do not get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, your body cannot produce serotonin, Dopamine, and other neurotransmitters needed to balance your mood and reduce your anxiety levels. Although you do need a certain amount of salt in your diet, too much of a good thing can be dangerous and disastrous to your mental health. 

7. Refined sugars—Refined sugar can increase stress and anxiety levels by increasing inflammation. When you are under a lot of stress, it can be tempting to munch on cookies, cakes, ice cream, or other sugary items; however, eating these items will further increase your stress levels.  

When you are under stress, your body naturally craves sugary treats. When the fight-or-flight response is activated, these sweets give your body energy. Unfortunately, refined sugar is quickly processed in the body, resulting in blood glucose spikes and crashes. These spikes and crashes wreak havoc on your body and your mood.  

When you crave something sweet, reach for a healthy fruit like a banana, strawberries, or melon to satisfy your sweet tooth. These fruits provide nutrients to your body and brain but do not cause your blood sugar to crash, which can cause anxiety. 

8. Processed foods—Processed foods and other fast foods contain artificial colorings, flavorings, preservatives, additives, and other chemicals that can cause systemic inflammation. When inflammation occurs, it decreases mood, prevents the brain from functioning correctly, and makes it difficult for the body to produce endorphins.

 

To protect your health and mood, choose whole foods rather than processed foods. Choose fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats for delicious snacks. These will improve your mental well-being and naturally reduce your anxiety.