The 4 Best—and Worst—Foods to Eat if You Suffer from Anxiety

Whether it’s acute or chronic, you know that anxiety can wreak havoc on your life—creating complications with those closest to you, rendering you incapable of functioning optimally (or functioning at all), and leaving your physical body in a state of discomfort and distress. But the condition—which affects roughly 40 million Americans (or 18% of the population)— can be mitigated with lifestyle changes. 4 Foods That Help With Anxiety (and 4 Foods to Avoid) Chief among them? Diet. Yes: What you eat directly impacts your mental health and your ability to cope with life’s inevitable stresses. With this in mind, we’ve pulled together the top four foods to help you manage anxiet y—and the 4 foods you should do your best to ditch. 1. The Good: Eggs Remember when eggs were deemed a diet no-no? Not so much anymore. Mounting research indicates that protein-packed eggs are one of the most perfect foods you can consume. Brimming with fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids, the humble, versatile egg naturally enhances everything from immunity to muscle strength . They’re also a boon for those suffering from anxiety. This is thanks to the fact that eggs contain tryptophan —an amino acid, typically associated with turkey, that organically fosters serotonin production . (Serotonin is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps moderate mood, sleep, behavior, and memory.) What’s more, eggs are high in zinc, which, Harvard Health reports, lowers anxiety. They’re also rich in choline, a nutrient that’s required for the production of acetylcholine—another neurotransmitter that regulates mood and anxiety. The bad: It may be the very thing that countless people rely on to reduce stress, but that glass of wine or craft cocktail may be doing more harm than good. Alcohol can lead to dehydration and disrupted sleep, both of which can heighten anxiety. Alcohol […]

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