Stress and anxiety is something that most adults will experience at some point in their lives — it is sadly quite common, due to the fastpaced lifestyle most of us live today. Stress is defined as any demand placed on your brain or physical body. People can report feeling in this way when multiple competing demands are put onto them, and it can be triggered by an event that makes you feel frustrated or nervous. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry or unease. It can be a reaction to stress, or it can occur in people who are unable to identify significant stressors in their life. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov), anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness. In the United States alone, 40 million people (18 per cent of the population) struggle with anxiety.
Diet plays an important role in helping to manage stress and anxiety. The brain uses the amino acid tryptophan to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter largely responsible for feelings of happiness and wellbeing. Plant-based sources of tryptophan include leafy greens, sunflower seeds, watercress, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, broccoli and peas. While meats such as turkey also contain the amino acid tryptophan, the body can have a difficult time converting it into serotonin. Competition from other amino acids prevents tryptophan from entering the brain, resulting in low serotonin production. A high-protein meal can lead to more amino acids in the bloodstream and more competition for tryptophan to enter the brain. Animal products are very high in protein so choosing plantbased sources instead will reduce the competition for tryptophan and allow it to enter the brain reducing the risk for stress and anxiety symptoms. Eating seeds high in tryptophan may also be an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder, while the serotonin contained in fruit has the potential to alleviate depression.