Adding just one extra serving of fruits and vegetables will boost mental health


New research indicates that an increase in frequency and quantity of fresh produce can make you happier and give your mental health a boost. According to TLC, the study from Leeds and York Universities in the UK analyzed data from more than 40,000 people during a seven-year period. The researchers found that when there was an increase in fruits and vegetables in the participants’ diets, they reported better moods. A key feature of this work is that the study was able to follow the same individuals over time.

The study also controlled for alternative factors that may affect mental well-being, such as age, education, income, marital status, employment status, lifestyle and health, as well as consumption of other foods such as bread or dairy products. The research showed a positive association between the quantity of fruit and vegetables consumed and people’s self-reported mental well-being.
Specifically, the findings indicate that eating just one extra portion of fruits and vegetables a day could have an equivalent effect on mental well-being as around 8 extra days of walking a month (for at least 10 minutes at a time).
Source: www.freshplaza.com