Table 1.

Summary of nutrients and diet patterns associated with more or less anxiety symptom severity or disorder prevalence.

Association with Less Anxiety

Association with More Anxiety

Vegetables and Fruit Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Alpha-lipoic acid, Omega-9 Fatty acids Nuts and seeds “Healthy” Dietary Patterns, Mediterranean diet, Traditional Dietary Patterns, Anti-inflammatory diet pattern Caloric Restriction Fasting or intermittent fasting Breakfast Consumption Broad-Spectrum Micronutrients Vegan Diet Zinc, Magnesium, Selenium Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Choline Ketogenic Diet Food sources of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium Culinary herbs, Turmeric, Saffron, Soy, Green tea, Herbal tea, Quercetin, Resveratrol, other phytochemicals (flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids)

High-fat diet, high cholesterol, high trans fat Inadequate tryptophan and dietary protein High intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners “Unhealthy” Dietary Patterns, typically defined as high in unhealthy fats and refined sugars Snacking