Dr Raj Arora, an NHS GP and medical educator known for her appearances on ITV's This Morning, has highlighted a surprising tool for managing anxiety: sour sweets. In a TikTok video, she explained that the intense sensory experience of eating a sour sweet can help distract the brain during a panic or anxiety attack.
Dr Arora said: 'When you have an anxiety or a panic attack, diverting your attention away from that or distracting your attention can be pretty powerful. Eating a really sour sweet is quite a sensory experience. It will calm you down, distract you away from that panic attack or anxiety attack and sort of redirect you.'
However, she cautioned that this is not a long-term treatment. 'Sweets are full of processed sugars and high sugar content, overall not very good for your health. So I wouldn't recommend eating bags and bags of sour sweets. However, the odd one here and there, if it distracts you, can be helpful.'
Dr Arora also recommended grounding techniques as alternative distractions and urged those suffering from anxiety to consult their GP for proper treatment and management.
