7 Foods That Worsen Schizophrenia

7 Foods That Worsen Schizophrenia

Most people eat food to take care of their physical health. But the food we eat can affect our mental health too. That is why some foods can worsen the symptoms of mental illnesses like schizophrenia. So those having schizophrenia must learn to avoid foods that can make it difficult for them to fight the symptoms. 

Here you can learn about some of the foods for schizophrenia that can make the symptoms worse.

1. Refined carbohydrates
When a normal person eats a diet of refined carbs, it can dampen their mood and energy. So when a schizophrenia patient eats refined carbs, it can cause even more harm to their mental and physical health. Some high-carb foods like white rice and white bread are hard to digest. Further, these foods can also heighten blood sugar levels. It can disrupt the emotional state of a schizophrenia patient. Therefore refined carbohydrates are not healthy foods for schizophrenia.

2. Caffeine
Many are aware that a cup of coffee can help in the improvement of mood. But intake of excess caffeine is not good for a schizophrenia patient. It can result in sleep issues and anxiety. That is why it is always the best idea to limit caffeine. Most importantly, people having schizophrenia must be careful about caffeine consumption.

3. Alcohol
The symptoms of schizophrenia can become worse when alcohol is consumed. It can decrease the quality of sleep and can increase anxiety issues in many people. Most schizophrenia patients develop a dependency on alcohol to deal with schizophrenia symptoms. But alcohol can do more harm than good. It can cause serious effects on the patient, which will be hard to recover.

4. Processed meats
According to several studies the processed meats tend to increase the adverse effects of schizophrenia. They are considered toxic to the brain. Also, there are nitrates and sodium present in the meat to preserve it for a long time. Therefore processed meat is one of the bad foods for schizophrenia.

5. Wheat
A diet high in gluten can increase the symptoms of schizophrenia. There are proteins in the wheat that can be harmful to the patients. That is why foods made of wheat are not suitable foods for schizophrenia.

6. Artificial sweeteners
Some foods contain artificial sweeteners. The foods may be tasty, but they are not healthy as they do not have nutritional value. Also, eating artificial sweeteners can trigger a person to eat more sugar. That is why foods made with artificial sweeteners are the worst foods for schizophrenia.

7. Saturated fats
There are saturated fats present in foods like butter. It is not healthy for schizophrenia patients to consume saturated fats as it can increase the risk of obesity. Trans fat can cause problems in brain functions and worsen the symptoms of schizophrenia.