Managing and overcoming shyness with a group offoods
A diet influences not only physical health but also mental well-being. Researchers found a direct link between consuming fermented foods and social anxiety, indicating that those who eat more of these foods experience fewer symptoms ofanxietyin social situations. In this section fromSelMagzwe discuss social anxiety and how food impacts it.
What is social anxiety?
Studies show that social anxiety is a persistent fear of social situations and is one of the most common anxiety disorders. Women are twice as likely to suffer from this disorder, which can affect their work, school, and relationships, often requiring cognitive behavioral therapy.
If you fear engaging in daily activities like shopping or talking on the phone, you may have a form of social anxiety. It disrupts work, studies, and social relationships, and treatment often involves cognitive behavioral therapy or antidepressant medications.depressionis also a factor.
How food affects social anxiety
Recent studies published in psychology journals suggest that fermented foods likeyogurtprobiotics andbitter chocolate, soy milk, sauerkraut, and pickles can help treat severe shyness and embarrassment.A number of studies have shown that in one study, 710 participants answered a series of questions designed to assess their personalities and lifestyles, including their consumption of fermented foods over the past 30 days.
Those who consumed probiotic-rich fermented foods reported fewer symptoms of social anxiety. Previous animal studies showed that probiotics increase GABA levels; GABA is a neurotransmitter that mimics the effects of anti-anxiety medications like benzodiazepines such as
diazepamandhelps relieve anxiety.
Researchers reported that probiotics (friendly bacteria) in fermented foods likely change the environment inside the stomach and intestines, affecting social anxiety levels.
Researchers have concluded that consuming such foods encourages the body to release neurotransmitters that help reduce anxiety and suggested that eating fermented foods rich in probiotics is likely to decrease social anxiety.
