Protein contains amino acids that affect neurotransmitters, powerful chemicals in the brain that influence mental performance and emotional states. While amino acids help your body's growth, development and physical health, they also influence your feelings and motivation. Mood changes and anxiety can develop when certain amino acids break down from proteins during digestion. Other amino acids can help relieve anxiety, depending on the foods you eat.
Mood Changes
Proteins release amino acids into the bloodstream after food digests. The amino acids enter the brain network to regulate how cells network and communicate. The actions can change your focus, concentration or mental responses, such as inspiration or aggravation. Your mental attitude depends on which amino acids cross the blood-brain barrier to influence your moods.
Energy
Protein foods help release the amino acid tyrosine. When tyrosine enters the brain, it increases production of dopamine and epinephrine, Middle Tennessee State University explains. These neurotransmitters boost levels of mental alertness and energy. High-protein foods include meat, poultry, fish and eggs. People often benefit from a mental and physical lift after eating protein foods for breakfast and lunch. However, protein foods may have a negative effect on people suffering from anxiety.
Calming Effects
Anxiety often results from stress. A certain amount of anxiety helps you deal with and overcome everyday obstacles and stressful situations. Anxiety, however, can be overwhelming at times. Some people even develop anxiety disorders that require therapy and medication. Instead of foods that heighten energy levels, you may benefit from foods that provide calming effects during periods of stress and anxiety.
Carbohydrates
Some protein foods also contain carbohydrates that may help with relaxation. Legumes, cheese, milk and tofu contain high amounts of protein and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates also include whole grains, such as breads, pasta and cereal. Carbohydrates help boost neurotransmitters to calm you. They trigger the release of insulin, which clears away many amino acids from proteins, but leaves the amino acid tryptophan alone. When tryptophan travels from the bloodstream to the brain, it converts to serotonin. Serotonin produces a sense of calm and also helps with sleep. Sleeping disorders often affect people with anxiety.
Balancing Foods
They key to avoiding or relieving anxiety may include eating protein foods in the morning and balancing protein and carbohydrates in the afternoon. This may provide a lift for your energy needs, but also allows you to relax by eating carbohydrates. Eating carbohydrates in the evening provides calmness and avoids insomnia, so you get a restful night's sleep to help combat anxiety the next day.
