Author Topic: Pickles and Yogurt Help Anxiety? (Read 7821 times)

tednlou2 · « **on:** July 07, 2015, 02:23:51 pm »

Maybe this is why I love pickles and I go through about five, 12-packs of Activia a week. They are the 4oz, so not humongous.

"Pickles, like many other fermented foods, can be an acquired taste. But, evidence suggests that might be a taste worth acquiring if you suffer from anxiety, as Rebecca Rupp reports for National Geographic.

A study in the August issue of Psychiatry Research finds that fermented foods— such as pickles, sauerkraut, and yogurt—eases the eater’s social anxiety and in particular their neuroticism. The culprit: Probiotics or healthy bacteria that ferments the food. “It is likely that the probiotics in the fermented foods are favorably changing the environment in the gut, and changes in the gut in turn influence social anxiety,” Matthew Hillimire, a psychologist at the College of William and Mary and a co-author of the study, said in a statement.

Hillmire and his colleagues enlisted 710 college students at William & Mary to record how much fermented food they ate and any symptoms of neuroticism, anxiety or social phobia that they felt over the same period. The team found a link between the amount of fermented food subjects consumed and the level of social anxiety they felt. Particularly neurotic subjects saw a decrease in their symptoms of shyness and fear of social situations when they ate more fermented food.

The study may suggest a link between fermented food and anxiety, but it’s unclear if or how the sour foods might be relieving the socially challenged, but they think the microbiome may be involced. Previous studies in mice and other animals hinted that probiotics positively influence the human gut, and that healthy gut bacteria might have some implications for the mind as well. Rupp cites studies suggesting that mice without bacteria are more anxious and susceptible to stress. Clinical trials of probiotic substances had also pointed to potential mental health benefits, but those results are less clear-cut.

The good bacteria may increase levels of chemical in the brain called GABA controls anxiety. GABA sends messages to activate the same neural pathways as compounds in anti-anxiety medication. As Rupp puts it, “In other words, if you’ve got a case of social jimjams, eating a bowl of sauerkraut may be the equivalent of popping a Valium. Or maybe even better.”

It’s worth noting that the microbial ecosystem that inhabits human bodies varies from one individual to another. Figuring out the exact cause and effect relationship between fermented food and anxiety will require further study.

So, if you’re socially challenged, a pickle might not be a cure-all, but there's a chance it could help calm your fears."

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/pickle-day-may-keep-your-anxiety-bay-180955661/#tGp03ht5AA3xx88O.99
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zach · « **Reply #1 on:** July 07, 2015, 02:50:05 pm »

sounds like a pregnant womens power snack

mitch777 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 07, 2015, 05:07:23 pm »

Ha!^.

I've also read that fermented foods are good for the gut. Good bacteria!

On a side note, I had the worst case of hiccups a few years ago that kept me up and I was desperate! The Gods spoke (via google) and said the cure was to drink pickle juice. It worked like a charm.

tednlou2 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 07, 2015, 05:19:03 pm »

Quote from: mitch777 on July 07, 2015, 05:07:23 pm

Ha!^.

I've also read that fermented foods are good for the gut. Good bacteria!

On a side note, I had the worst case of hiccups a few years ago that kept me up and I was desperate! The Gods spoke (via google) and said the cure was to drink pickle juice. It worked like a charm.

Yeah, they think the beneficial gut benefit is what has an effect on the brain.

When I get hiccups, I take a drink of dr. Pepper and hold my head back, while holding the soda at the back of my throat for as long as I can. Always works for me-- usually. I may have to do it a few times.

Jmarksto · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2015, 12:33:55 am »

This is interesting....my dad used to say that sauerkraut helped the immune system, at the time I thought he was off his rocker. Maybe was onto something.

Wade · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2015, 12:16:01 pm »

Good to know,I'm a pickle - holic . Everything pickled
Herring ,okra , yes even pigs feet.....

wolfter · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2015, 06:56:57 pm »

The benefits are due to fermentation? Isn't that wine?

zach · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2015, 06:59:32 pm »

Quote from: wolfter on July 08, 2015, 06:56:57 pm

The benefits are due to fermentation? Isn't that wine?

and he's back!

wolfter · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2015, 07:07:23 pm »

big pickles demand more money ... btw

Almost2late · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2015, 09:10:58 pm »

Lots of bread&butter pickle chips in my Cuban sandwich for lunch and vanilla yogurt in my oatmeal w/blueberries for breakfast does help me feel better for sure

Wade · « **Reply #10 on:** July 08, 2015, 09:42:00 pm »

I miss my Cuban sandwiches !

initforlife · « **Reply #11 on:** July 08, 2015, 09:43:22 pm »

What's a Cuban sandwich?

Almost2late · « **Reply #12 on:** July 08, 2015, 09:57:19 pm »

Here's a sample..http://www.chow.com/recipes/30428-cuban-sandwiches

Love mine with cafe con leche (milk & cuban coffee)

initforlife · « **Reply #13 on:** July 08, 2015, 10:01:21 pm »

Yum that really looks good.. and Thanks never knew what one was...

ARMANDO · « **Reply #14 on:** August 08, 2015, 07:49:22 am »

JUST TRY A PANNI,PRETTY CLOSE!!!

OneTampa · « **Reply #15 on:** August 08, 2015, 08:20:27 am »

Quote from: Almost2late on July 08, 2015, 09:57:19 pm

Here's a sample..http://www.chow.com/recipes/30428-cuban-sandwiches

Love mine with cafe con leche (milk & cuban coffee)

Grew up eating Cuban Sandwiches. Yum! Yum!

Regarding other "health help" foods, don't get me started on my family ancestry suggestions.

Almost2late · « **Reply #16 on:** August 09, 2015, 12:38:16 am »

Quote from: OneTampa on August 08, 2015, 08:20:27 am

Grew up eating Cuban Sandwiches. Yum! Yum!

Regarding other "health help" foods, don't get me started on my family ancestry suggestions.

Now I'm curious, what about your family ancestry suggestions?

weasel · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2015, 11:05:20 am »

Quote from: bubba53 on July 08, 2015, 12:16:01 pm

Good to know,I'm a pickle - holic . Everything pickled
Herring ,okra , yes even pigs feet.....

Sounds like my parents fodder

I love pickles

I'll have a pickle with my tea when I come up to see you .

HUGS , Carl

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Author Topic: Pickles and Yogurt Help Anxiety? (Read 7821 times)