| Hygiene of populated places | ISSN: 2707-0441 eISSN: 2707-045X |
Issue 75, 2025 - Pages: 139-148
NUTRITION APPROACHES TO OVERCOME ANXIETY IN PEOPLE AND IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH
N.O. Krupka1, N.M. Chemerys1
1 State non-profit enterprise "Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University"
ÓÄÊ: 159.923.35:613.2
SUMMÀRY:
Objective. Review and synthesis of literature data on existing research on anxiety and nutrition to identify nutritional factors associated with anxiety levels and identify nutritional approaches to overcoming anxiety and improving people's health.
Materials and methods. The information search method, content analysis, and analysis of scientific publications of domestic and foreign researchers were used.
Results. Nutrition has a direct impact on the biochemical processes in our body, which affect our mood, emotions and behaviour. Not only the composition of the diet, but also our eating habits are important for mental health. An important diet is one that helps reduce anxiety from uncertainty and promotes better metabolism and digestion. Diets associated with reducing anxiety include “healthy” eating patterns, the Mediterranean diet, traditional diets, anti-inflammatory diets and diets with increased diversity. All of these eating patterns have common elements, such as an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, limited consumption of sugar and refined grains. Consumption of minimally processed foods, including foods rich in micronutrients in the diet is important for ensuring mental well-being. Adequate or supplemental intake of omega-3 fatty acids has an anti-anxiety effect. Regular consumption of foods rich in antioxidants improves mood and reduces symptoms of anxiety.
Conclusions. A literature review of available scientific studies on anxiety and nutrition was conducted to identify nutritional factors associated with anxiety levels. The relationship between nutrition, anxiety, and people's mental health was studied. The relationship between «healthy» eating patterns and the reduction of anxiety symptoms, the impact of nutrition on anxiety, was proven. Nutritional approaches to overcoming anxiety have been identified, which will help improve the health and quality of life of people with anxiety, prevent their occurrence and negative consequences for mental health.
Materials and methods. The information search method, content analysis, and analysis of scientific publications of domestic and foreign researchers were used.
Results. Nutrition has a direct impact on the biochemical processes in our body, which affect our mood, emotions and behaviour. Not only the composition of the diet, but also our eating habits are important for mental health. An important diet is one that helps reduce anxiety from uncertainty and promotes better metabolism and digestion. Diets associated with reducing anxiety include “healthy” eating patterns, the Mediterranean diet, traditional diets, anti-inflammatory diets and diets with increased diversity. All of these eating patterns have common elements, such as an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, limited consumption of sugar and refined grains. Consumption of minimally processed foods, including foods rich in micronutrients in the diet is important for ensuring mental well-being. Adequate or supplemental intake of omega-3 fatty acids has an anti-anxiety effect. Regular consumption of foods rich in antioxidants improves mood and reduces symptoms of anxiety.
Conclusions. A literature review of available scientific studies on anxiety and nutrition was conducted to identify nutritional factors associated with anxiety levels. The relationship between nutrition, anxiety, and people's mental health was studied. The relationship between «healthy» eating patterns and the reduction of anxiety symptoms, the impact of nutrition on anxiety, was proven. Nutritional approaches to overcoming anxiety have been identified, which will help improve the health and quality of life of people with anxiety, prevent their occurrence and negative consequences for mental health.
KEYWORDS:
Anxiety, nutritional approaches, nutritional features, mental health.
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FOR CITATION:
Krupka NO, Chemerys NM. [Nutrition approaches to overcome anxiety in people and improve their mental health]. Hygiene of Populated Places. 2025;75:139-48. Ukrainian. doi: https://doi.org/10.32402/hygiene2025.75.139