Fruits and Vegetables Improve Mental Well-Being
Adding more fruits and vegetables to one’s diet improves mental well-being, according to research published in Social Science & Medicine.
Researchers compared fruit and vegetable consumption and life satisfaction rates from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) survey results.
Results showed a dose-response relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and improvements in mental well-being. The study also reported a link between frequency of consumption and improvements in mental health in the short term. The authors recommend clinicians communicate these potential benefits to increase fruit and vegetable intake among their patients.
Ocean N, Howley P, Ensor J. Lettuce be happy: A longitudinal UK study on the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and well-being. Soc Sci Med. 2019;222:335-345.