SHREVEPORT, La. — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and according to 2024 data, Louisiana is the most stressed state.
The foods we eat on a daily basis can have a positive or negative impact on our overall mental health. Anxiety has been linked to an imbalance in the gut microbiome, resulting from a diet low in antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and low intake of prebiotics and probiotics.
Improve your diet with foods rich in antioxidants
- Beans: black beans, red beans, kidney beans, pinto beans
- Fruits: apples, plums, prunes, cherries
- Berries: blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries
- Nuts: walnuts, pecans, almonds
- Vegetables: spinach, broccoli, kale
Supplements that may help
- Root ginger
- Curcumin
- Prebiotics/Probiotics
Other foods to include in your diet
- Foods High in Magnesium
- Nuts, seeds, whole grains, spinach
- Foods High in Zinc
- Foods High in Omega-3
- Salmon, nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocado
- Asparagus has been used as a functional food with anti-anxiety properties.
All of these foods promote the release of serotonin and dopamine, which can help reduce anxiety symptoms.
If you need advice on diet and nutrition, speak to a dietitian who can help you find a healthy, sustainable approach that fits into your current lifestyle.
Before introducing any supplements into your routine or making any changes to your diet, it is important to consult with your doctor first. Some supplements may interact with medications. If you currently take daily medication to manage a chronic condition, some supplements may interact with that medication.
