Anxiety often results from stress. You might experience nervousness or agitation, worrying about what might happen or what you can do to deal with your concerns, and anxiety might provide a way of overcoming stress by leading you to solutions. Certain foods might help reduce or increase anxiety because they release amino acids into the body that eventually affect brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. The amino acid tyrosine might result in triggering chemicals that intensify your anxiety.
Amino Acids
Amino acids come from proteins in food. When an abundance of tyrosine enters the bloodstream from your diet, it travels through the blood pathway until it crosses over to the brain network. Once in the brain, tyrosine increases production of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. These neurotransmitters boost mental alertness and energy, according to Middle Tennessee State University. High-protein foods for breakfast and lunch help to keep you energized. Too much tyrosine might have adverse effects on people with anxiety problems.
Protein
Protein foods that will provide your body with tyrosine include meat, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and dairy products. Eating a lot of high-protein foods might aggravate your anxiety because your moods and behavior intensify. In some cases, boosting mental alertness and energy helps you deal with stressful episodes during the day, but many people with anxiety might seek ways to relax and find comfort in other foods.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates, including legumes, cheese and milk, also contain protein, which might provide a balance to avoid the discomfort of anxiety. Foods rich in carbohydrates include whole grain breads and cereal, pasta, rice, corn, nuts and potatoes. These foods help calm you down. Carbohydrates release insulin into the blood, which helps increase the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan has the opposite effect of tyrosine when it moves from the bloodstream to the brain. Tryptophan converts into serotonin, a neurotransmitter that enhances calming effects and helps with sleep.
Constant Anxiety
If you want your body and brain to become energized, eat more protein foods. If you feel too much anxiety during the day, consume more carbohydrates to increase levels of tryptophan and overcome the effects of tyrosine. Avoid stimulants, such as coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks. Constant anxiety might result in real or imagined hazards that interfere with your daily life. Symptoms include feelings of apprehension, increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, weakness and stomach or intestinal discomfort. You might suffer from anxiety disorder, treatable through therapy and medication. Your doctor also might recommend dietary adjustments to help improve your moods.
