What Foods Can We Use To Overcome Anxiety?

No, we're not talking about emotional eating. Eating is not a good option to overcome anxiety, fear, sadness or to compensate for a missing or bad mood.

But food carries a charge and contains specific nutrients that can have a beneficial effect on the "chemistry" in our brain and body, and we can use it to eliminate the effects of the stress we live in.

What are the foods that experts recommend in this case?

1. It is obviously no coincidence that salmon is so popular in Western societies, but the essential polyunsaturated fats it actually contains can have a beneficial effect on mood. Docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids are found in the highest amounts in oily fish. These fatty acids help regulate neurotransmitters, which are important for a balanced emotional state. Oily fish is also a good source of vitamin D, which also plays a key role in testing for a positive mood. To get the most out of the food, experts recommend consuming 100 g of fish every two days.

2. In recent years, science has returned to a very old thesis. To what extent our emotional state is in indirect connection with the intestines will be studied for a long time, but obviously, there is one. The intestinal microflora is important not only for our strong immunity, but its composition influences fine metabolic processes in the brain. This is because of the substances that these microorganisms secrete and which reach it through the bloodstream. 
So yogurt can be considered one of the most porous foods for intestinal health, immunity, but also mood. This dairy product is rich in probiotics, which contribute to the mentioned effects. Of course, the more natural the milk, without additional impurities such as sugar and others, the more useful it is.

3. Green and black tea contain a specific amino acid - L-theanine, which has been shown to help reduce anxiety symptoms. The person consuming the tea feels calm. But it should be borne in mind that the leaves contain some form of caffeine, which has a stimulating effect. For this purpose, it is good to choose decaffeinated varieties.

4. Dark chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants and, apart from the presence of sugar, is a useful food. It is especially valuable with the amount of tryptophan in it, which is necessary for the synthesis of serotonin. And when it comes to mood, we can't help but mention this hormone. It is enough to eat only 40 g of the bitter-sweet temptation to help your good mood.

5. When we look for the healthiest bread, we usually mention whole grain. But the healthiest bread also includes a suitable leavening agent. Wholemeal breads with sourdough provide fiber, long-term absorption of carbohydrates and nutrients that strengthen intestinal health.

6. Bananas are an excellent breakfast - they provide energy that is released quickly, but are also a source of useful nutrients. One of them is vitamin B6, which plays a key role in releasing energy, regulating blood sugar levels and is important for the immune system. Green bananas are rich in prebiotics and fiber, which is also beneficial for good intestinal and emotional health.