Anxiety is a feeling of heightened nervousness, experienced by most people at some point. Anxiety usually is felt as a result of confronting fears, irregular hormone levels or stress; however, food and drink, or the lack thereof, also can cause anxiety. Food additives, caffeine, drugs, alcohol and becoming dehydrated can all cause anxiety or nervousness.
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body does not contain enough fluids. This normally occurs due to excessive fluid loss, injuries that cause a large amount of blood loss, or burns. Symptoms of dehydration are low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, poor skin turgor and shock. People who have anxiety disorder or panic attacks might become anxious when experiencing a rapid heart rate or unexplained fatigue, which are symptoms of dehydration.
Food Sensitivities
According to MayoClinic.com, certain food sensitivities can cause anxiety, irritability or other shifts in mood. These sensitivities normally surround food additives such as preserving agents, artificial flavorings or food coloring. When experiencing these sensitivities, some people develop physical reactions, which can trigger shifts in mood as well as anxiety.
Alcohol
Although alcohol is not a food, some people drink alcohol while eating, which might cause anxiety. Drinking alcoholic beverages can calm you if you are feeling tense, but according to the book "Everything You Need to Know About Chemical Dependence," drinking too much can cause you to feel jittery and anxious. Certain foods, such as pizza sauce, pasta, batter, vanilla extract and vinegar, can contain alcohol.
Caffeine
According to David Nutt, author of "Anxiety Disorders," large amounts of caffeine can cause anxiety and panic symptoms. Caffeine is contained in many energy drinks, chocolate, coffee, soda and tea. People consume this stimulant to gain a quick energy boost or temporarily increase mental alertness, but if consumed in large amounts, you might feel jittery, excited, restless or have an increased heart rate. In some people, this might trigger a panic attack.
References
- PubMed; Dehydration; August 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Coping with Anxiety: Can Diet Make a Difference?;Daniel K. Hall-Flavin; Nov 2010
- Science Daily; Brain Chemistry Ties Anxiety And Alcoholism; March 2008
- "Everything You Need to Know About Chemical Dependence: Vernon Johnson's"; Vernon E. Johnson; 1998
- "Anxiety Disorders"; David J. Nutt et al; 2003
