A panic attack is a feeling of intense fear or anxiety that can come on suddenly and without warning. Panic attacks can cause physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, and dizziness. They can also lead to feelings of unreality or detachment from oneself. Panic attacks are often triggered by specific situations, such as being in public places or thinking about the future. Certain foods can also trigger panic attacks in some people.
Common triggers for panic attacks include: caffeine, alcohol, MSG (monosodium glutamate), aspartame, nitrates/nitrites (found in processed meats), gluten (found in wheat products), and dairy products. These foods can cause anxiety and panic because they stimulate the nervous system or disrupt normal hormone levels. Caffeine is a stimulant that increases alertness and energy levels while also constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate. Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the nervous system while also causing dehydration and affecting blood sugar levels. MSG is an additive that enhances flavor but has been linked to headaches and dizziness. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener found in many diet sodas and other sugar-free products; it has been linked to headaches, nausea, anxiety, depression, memory.
Fried Foods
If you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks, you may want to avoid fried foods. While there is no definitive evidence that fried foods cause anxiety or panic attacks, the link between the two can not be ignored. If you are struggling with anxiety or Panic Disorder, it may be best to avoid fried foods altogether.
Food Additives
While most food additives are safe for consumption, some have been linked to adverse health effects. For example, some studies have suggested that certain food dyes may be associated with hyperactivity in children. Other research has suggested that certain preservatives may be linked to cancer.
If you are concerned about the safety of food additives, there are a few things you can do to minimize your exposure. One option is to buy foods that are labeled “organic” or “natural,” which means they do not contain any synthetic ingredients. You can also look for products that are certified by independent organizations like the Non-GMO Project. Finally, you can cook at home more often using fresh ingredients instead of processed foods.
Caffeine
Caffeine affects us because it is a psychoactive substance. Psychoactive substances are those that change our mental state. Caffeine does this by stimulating the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord. When we drink caffeine, it takes about 45 minutes for it to reach its peak level in our blood. Once there, it can stay at its highest level for up to six hours.
Caffeine works by binding to certain receptors in the brain. These are called adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that makes us feel sleepy by slowing down nerve cell activity. When caffeine binds to these receptors, it prevents adenosine from binding and having its effect of making us feel drowsy. This is why we often turn to caffeine when we need to stay awake or be more alert.
In addition to keeping us awake, caffeine also has other effects on the brain and body including:
increasing alertness and attention span
increasing heart rate and blood pressure
increasing respiration rate.