Fermented food, like tempeh, can make you more sociable

Probiotics found in fermented food like this tempeh can help ease social anxiety, says study. Photo: Filepic

In a new study of the mind-gut connection, eating fermented foods, which contain probiotics, were associated with reduced symptoms of social anxiety.

This gives new meaning to the old cliché of "you are what you eat," the research team says this is the first in a series of studies they are planning, hypothesising that the right food could complement the efforts of psychologists when it comes to mental health.