In one study (Miller, 2007), they attempted to determine the effects of anxiety reduction

techniques on the anxiety and blood sugar level of adolescent athletes before their
competition. Participants were randomly assigned to the control group, and the group
where anxiety reduction techniques will be used. State-Trait Inventory were used to
measure their anxiety and then each participant recorded their own glucose level,
repeating the same procedure in a span of 7 days before their competition. Participants
in the experimental group were taught deep breathing and progressive muscle
relaxation. They are then instructed to do these techniques daily for 6 weeks. At the end
of the 6-week period, participants are again tested for anxiety and blood sugar level
twice within 1 week. Their study reveals that there is a significant decline in somatic
anxiety and blood sugar level of the experimental group but there is no sign of
relationship between the two variables. Furthermore, it was unknown if the significant
reduction was due to the intervention of a regression to the mean effect.

Another study investigated the prevalence of mood and anxiety in people with diabetes
(Myers, 2003). Results suggest that as one ages, anxiety decreases and blood sugar
control improves. Moreover, women report significantly higher levels of mood and
anxiety and poorer blood sugar control over men.

Aucoin and Bhardwaj (2016) did a case study of a 15-year old female who presented
concerns of general anxiety disorder and blood sugar control. This case study further
strengthens the hypothesis that meal plans concerning a person’s blood sugar control
plays a role on the progression of mental illnesses such as generalized anxiety disorder.

Reference:

1. Detling Miller, N. J. (2007). The effects of anxiety reduction techniques on anxiety

and blood glucose control in adolescent athletes with type 1 diabetes
2. Myers, V. H. (2003). Mood and anxiety symptomatology in adults with insulin-
dependent diabetes mellitus using intensive management regimens
3. Aucoin, M., & Bhardwaj, S. (2016). Generalized anxiety disorder and
hypoglycemia symptoms improved with diet modification. Case Reports in
Psychiatry