Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - May/June 2021 - 20

Continued from page 19

Further research will continue to investigate if there are specific
strains of probiotics connected to anxiety (and depression).
4. Omega-3s (Seafood)
Omega-3s may play a role in anxiety through anti-inflammatory
actions, or through their interactions with different chemicals
and cells in the brain. Several supplementation studies have
found a connection between omega-3s and reduced anxiety.
Research specifically on food has been more limited. In one
large Brazilian study, those who had the highest dietary intake
of EPA/DHA (the omega-3 fatty acids in fish) had a lower risk
of anxiety. That said, the associations lost significance after
adjusting for confounding variables, making it unclear if there
was a true benefit.
In another study on pregnant females, though, those eating no
omega-3-rich seafood in their diet had higher anxiety levels
compared to those eating more fish.

Seafood is the best dietary source of omega-3s, which makes it
excellent to include on a menu. Even outside of anxiety, omega3s in seafood may improve cardiovascular and overall cognitive
health. At a minimum, it's wise to meet the Dietary Guidelines'
recommendation to eat seafood at least twice a week.
5. Tea
Perhaps most interesting, tea may be connected to anxiety. A
cross-sectional study found that long-term tea consumption was
correlated with reduced anxiety symptoms.
Green tea in particular has been linked to a reduced stress
response, which may lead to less anxiety. For example, a small
trial in humans found that consumption of matcha green tea
among college students led to less anxiety in response to a
stressor.
The benefit from green tea may be due to L-theanine, an amino
acid. Caffeine may counteract the effect of green tea on stress,
so lower-caffeine versions are recommended for this particular
benefit. As a bonus, research has suggested a lower-caffeine
version may also improve sleep among the elderly.

KILLS THE VIRUS
THAT CAUSES COVID-19
IN 15 SECONDS*
FOOD
CONTACT
SAFE

Other research suggests different types of tea, like certain
herbal teas, may also be linked to lower anxiety levels. This
research is rather sparse - but for many individuals, drinking
tea may be a pleasant addition to their meal regardless.
FINAL THOUGHTS

EPA-Registered
Food Contact
Sanitizer

When it comes to nutrition and brain health, there is a lot to
think about (pun intended!). Rest assured, providing an overall
balanced menu will satisfy many of these needs.

2-IN-1
SOLUTION

It's smart to periodically review the menu in relation to these
latest nutrition updates, and see if there are small ways to tweak
it. For example, do you only serve tea at breakfast? Maybe you
can start to offer it at all meals. Or perhaps yogurt, a healthy
source of probiotics, can be offered regularly as a snack.

Cleaner and
Sanitizer Means
Less Steps

Sink & Surface
Cleaner Sanitizer
Streamline Your Clean
Ecolab.com/SinkSurfaceSanitizer
*When used according to directions.
Refer to EPA master label under #1677-260.
©2021 Ecolab USA Inc. All rights reserved.

Other studies suggest that omega-3 intake may need to be
quite high to achieve anxiety-reducing benefits, and that lower
intakes may not provide clinically significant changes.

NUTRITION & FOODSERV IC E EDGE | May-June 2021

You know your residents better than anyone else, so consider
their preferences as you think about ways to implement
nutrition strategies for Alzheimer's, depression, and anxiety. E
REFERENCES: This Level III article contains a lengthy list of
References. If reading the digital Edge, click the following link
for these References. For print readers, type the following in
your browser: www.ANFPonline.org/docs/default-source/
edge/references.pdf

http://www.Ecolab.com/SinkSurfaceSanitizer http://www.ANFPonline.org/docs/default-source/edge/references.pdf http://www.ANFPonline.org/docs/default-source/edge/references.pdf

May June 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May June 2021

Metabolism-Boosting Meals
Breaking Barriers: Culturally-Responsive Congregate Meals
Ethics: Let's Do it Right
Meet Your Incoming 2021-2022 Officers and Directors
Culinary Connection: Discovering Fermented Foods
Nutrition Connection: Nutrition & Brain Health: An In-Depth Look at Alzheimer's, Depression, and Anxiety
Culinary Connection: The Importance of Umami in Healthy Aging
Connect Corner
My Recipe for Success
Top 10 Ways to Use Chickpeas
Join Us at ACE
Message From the Chair
What CDM, CFPP Means to Me
CDM, CFPP Spotlights
May June 2021 - Cover1
May June 2021 - Cover2
May June 2021 - 1
May June 2021 - 2
May June 2021 - 3
May June 2021 - 4
May June 2021 - Connect Corner
May June 2021 - My Recipe for Success
May June 2021 - Top 10 Ways to Use Chickpeas
May June 2021 - 8
May June 2021 - Join Us at ACE
May June 2021 - Culinary Connection: Discovering Fermented Foods
May June 2021 - 11
May June 2021 - 12
May June 2021 - 13
May June 2021 - Nutrition Connection: Nutrition & Brain Health: An In-Depth Look at Alzheimer's, Depression, and Anxiety
May June 2021 - 15
May June 2021 - 16
May June 2021 - 17
May June 2021 - 18
May June 2021 - 19
May June 2021 - 20
May June 2021 - 21
May June 2021 - Culinary Connection: The Importance of Umami in Healthy Aging
May June 2021 - 23
May June 2021 - 24
May June 2021 - 25
May June 2021 - 26
May June 2021 - 27
May June 2021 - Metabolism-Boosting Meals
May June 2021 - 29
May June 2021 - 30
May June 2021 - 31
May June 2021 - Breaking Barriers: Culturally-Responsive Congregate Meals
May June 2021 - 33
May June 2021 - 34
May June 2021 - 35
May June 2021 - Ethics: Let's Do it Right
May June 2021 - 37
May June 2021 - 38
May June 2021 - 39
May June 2021 - Message From the Chair
May June 2021 - 41
May June 2021 - 42
May June 2021 - What CDM, CFPP Means to Me
May June 2021 - Meet Your Incoming 2021-2022 Officers and Directors
May June 2021 - 45
May June 2021 - 46
May June 2021 - CDM, CFPP Spotlights
May June 2021 - 48
May June 2021 - Cover3
May June 2021 - Cover4
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