Foods That Reduce Anxiety & Depression

KingKush
May 15, 2022
3 min read

Updated: May 17, 2022

Anxiety and Depression are the most common mental health disorders in the world. Anxiety can be good at times as it is meant to keep us safe. Anxiety is a fight or flight response that lets us know of immediate danger. Having an anticipatory anxiety is worrying too much about future events. You might have racing, worrying thoughts about future events and that might make you feel nervous or on the edge. Having anxiety and depression can impact your daily life, anxiety can affect your eating habits, sleep and how you feel overall physically and mentally. You must be aware of symptoms of anxiety that can lead to depression.

Anxiety symptoms include:

· Feeling like you’re on the edge

· Easily fatigued

· Tense Muscles

· Racing worrying negative thoughts

· Insomnia

· Difficulty concentrating

To keep anxiety and depression at bay, you must exercise and eat healthy, you can also try other practices like meditation, positive self- talk, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Eating these foods will help reduce your anxiety and depression.

1. Berries/ Cherries

Berries and Cherries are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants which are chemicals that kill stress hormone cortisol. Antioxidants found in Berries and Cherries fight damaged nerve cells to keep you fresh and relaxed. Cranberries are the best Antioxidant with the highest sources of Vitamin C. Drink cranberry juice to feel rejuvenated and boost your energy and your overall sense of well being.

2. Foods Rich in Zinc (Beef, Poultry and Dairy)

Zinc is an important mineral that helps your body fight stress. Zinc is not made naturally by your body, so you must consume certain foods that contain zinc, to help balance your diet. Zinc deficiency affects more than 2 billion people worldwide. Zinc is found in green vegetables, beef, and poultry. Stress and anxiety can be signs of zinc deficiency, you need zinc for proper functioning of your body. Increasing the amount of Zinc in the soil when growing crops will help reduce the amount of people who are zinc deficient worldwide.

3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fats that we need in our bodies to function. Omega 3 cannot be made on its own, so you need to eat foods that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Fish are an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Study shows fish oil and omega 3 rich foods help in lowering the risk of heart diseases and diabetes. Omega 3 fatty acids also help in improving your cardiovascular health as well as lower you blood pressure and reduce anxiety. You can add Omega 3 supplements to your diet by eating foods like. Fish like Salmon, sardine, caviar, oysters, lobster, crab, and other sea food are an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids.

4. Dark Chocolate

Dark Chocolate is a bitter chocolate or unsweetened Chocolate made from the tropical Theobroma Cacao tree seeds. Chocolate has been around the world for more than 3,000 years. Dark Chocolate has many benefits to help you deal with stress and anxiety. It has dietary minerals such as iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc. All these minerals are vital to your health and helps in reducing stress and anxiety symptoms.

5. Vitamin B12 Foods

We need proper B12 intake for proper functioning of our bodies. Vitamin B12 is also known as Cobalamin which is an essential mineral that we need in our bodies. Food that are rich in Vitamin B12 are, eggs, beef, yogurt, tuna, liver, and kidneys. If you are deficient in Vitamin in B12 you might experience anxiety symptoms, and fatigue. Make sure you get enough vitamin B12, either from daily diet or from supplements and exercise regularly to reduce feelings of anxiety.

6. Bananas

Bananas are a good source of Potassium, eating a banana will instantly make you feel better. Bananas have high fiber which helps in digestion, bananas can also boost your heart health as it is known to lower high blood pressure. Bananas help ease muscle tension and muscle spams. Bananas are high in Vitamin B6, which is water -soluble Vitamin found naturally in foods. Vitamin B6 is important in maintaining a healthy brain function and immune system.

There are many benefits to eating healthy. “You are What You Eat”. Changing your diet alone probably won’t help. You must exercise and do other things that will keep you healthy. Foods like, Berries, beef, cranberry juice, as well as foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin B12will help you fight anxiety and stress. Try exercising and eating healthy to stay at optimum level and become the best version of yourself.