Bipolar disorder can be managed by undergoing treatment and following a strict diet and routine. According to doctors, many factors contribute to maintaining the balance of emotions and psychologists have stressed the importance of a healthy daily diet. Medications and foods that can improve the symptoms of bipolar disorder have been shown to help manage the disorder effectively.

On the other hand, some foods should be strictly avoided as they have a negative effect on the mood and activate brain cells, creating an increase in anxiety levels. Similarly, some foods do not match up with the complex medication that bipolar disorder patients have, and research shows that such kind of food generally causes sleep deprivation.

The food items listed here can lead to an increase in brain activity, so it is advised for patients to avoid them or limit their consumption:

1. Alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol produces stimulus in the brain, which alerts the activity in the nerve cells, making the patient anxious. Similarly, caffeine acts as a sleep deprivation stimulant, resulting in mood alteration. A few shots of an alcoholic drink or a beverage with caffeine increases the risk of an attack. Additionally, alcohol causes dehydration, which worsens the symptoms and also hinders the medication from taking effect.

2. Tyramine
This is the most common type of amino acid most commonly found in aged and strong cheese. Tyramine also occurs in the body naturally, but the consumption of foods rich in tyramine can trigger or aggravate the symptoms in patients. Certain types of beans, cured or smoked meat, and aged and strong cheese are some foods harmful to bipolar disorder patients and should be avoided.

3. Artificial sweeteners and fatty acids
Artificial sweeteners are found in a lot of diabetes-friendly recipes, but they are harmful to bipolar disorder patients. Research shows that these sweeteners and fatty acids not only lead to weight gain but also weaken the overall action of the medication.

4. Citrus fruits
Citrus foods react with medicines, slowing down their effects or interrupting the treatment. Doctors specifically advise patients to not consume citrus fruits due to their acidic nature, so oranges, sweet lime, and grapefruit should be avoided. This is important as mood stabilizers do not perform their fullest when consumed with citrus fruits.

5. Salt
Salt is the basic need for every dish, but measured consumption of salt keeps the body fluids balanced and a change in the level of salt intake affects the mood severely. Doctors recommend an intake of no more than 1500 milligrams (mg) of salt a day for adults. Additionally, salt and fluid consumption needs to be balanced to avoid dehydration, which can negatively affect the patient.

Along with this, inadequate exercise, lack of care, and both smoking and drinking can affect bipolar disorder patients, so doctors and psychologists recommend caretakers to follow the basic guidelines while caring for patients.