Nutrition for the psyche: Two foods help against social anxiety

Created: 12/30/2022, 7:55 am

By: Judith Brown

According to scientists, the gut and the psyche are closely related.

A study shows that a certain diet can have a positive influence on mental illness.

When fear of other people takes over: In Germany, seven to 12 out of 100 people suffer from social anxiety at least once in their lives.

Social phobia is one of the most common mental illnesses, although it usually occurs in adolescence and affects women more often than men.

Those affected fear that their behavior will be perceived by others as embarrassing, ridiculous or strange.

Many patients often also suffer from depression.

The mental illness is usually treated with the help of psychotherapy and medication, such as antidepressants.

However, as researchers have found, diet can also play an important role.

Two foods are said to have a positive effect on social anxiety.

Nutrition for the psyche: symptoms of social phobia - food can help

People who suffer from social anxiety often withdraw.

However, healing is possible with the help of psychotherapy or medication.

The right diet can also help.

© Cavan Images/IMAGO

Social anxiety can make life difficult for those affected.

They often withdraw from social life.

The disease can affect the ability to live out friendships, professional careers, love life or hobbies.

A social phobia is characterized by the fact that those affected are afraid of being judged critically by other people – even if they are not judged by others at all.

These are irrational fears, and those affected are often aware that the fear is exaggerated and unfounded.

They fear making perceived mistakes, being embarrassing, or being clumsy.

They are also afraid of receiving negative attention or being hurt.

The mental illness can show up generally through insecurity in everyday life or in specific situations in which a performance is demanded and those affected can fail in their eyes.

The disease manifests itself in the form of various fears and physical symptoms:

• Fear of dating the opposite sex or potential partners

• Fear of speaking and presenting in public

• Fear of eating or drinking in front of other people

• fear of criticism

The following physical symptoms are typical of social phobia:

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• shaking hands or general trembling

• Blush

• sweats

• Avoiding eye contact

• tachycardia

• difficulties swallowing

• increased urination

• Diarrhea

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Nutrition for the psyche: Which foods help with social anxiety according to the study

The good news for sufferers, however, is that they can be cured of their social anxiety.

Psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both can help.

Eating the right diet can also help.

Because scientists from the USA have published in their journal

published study found that fermented foods such as yoghurt or sauerkraut can help against social anxiety.

During fermentation, substances are converted by adding live bacteria (probiotics), which are particularly healthy because of their positive influence on the intestinal flora.

After all, the gut and the psyche are closely related.

For example, there are intestinal hormones that can cause anxiety.

Certain foods can, in turn, have a positive effect on mental health.

For their study, the scientists asked 700 students about the amount of fermented food they had consumed in the past month.

In addition, they recorded their general diet and exercise habits and how many of the students struggled with social phobia and what symptoms they suffered from.

It was shown that those participants who ate more fermented foods had fewer symptoms of social phobia.

The greatest effect was found in those affected with a genetic predisposition.

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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

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