Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables Vital For Robust Mental Wellbeing

Health experts emphasis on consumption of fruit and vegetables for bodily growth and development. However, per findings of a latest study published on the CNN website, consumption of fruit and vegetables are also a viable source for boosting mental health and development.
The study titled, “Lettuce be happy: A longitudinal UK study on the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and well-being,” published in the journal ‘Social Science & Medicine’ found increased consumption of fruit and vegetables led to enhanced mental wellbeing and development. Moreover, increased frequency and quantity of consumption had a direct impact on the mental wellbeing as well.

A research study from Australia in 2016 showed psychological improvements after regular and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. The same study was replicated with a larger sample of more than 40,000 participants in the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Panel data analytical techniques were employed by the researchers on three streams of data collected between 2010 and 2017 with the same participants over a period of time.

Analysis of the data indicated that consumption of fruits and vegetables improved mental health and life satisfaction indicators within the data that spans over a period of five years, even including other detrimental features and factors for mental health such as bodily health, consumption of food items and income of the participant. The results of the study found a robust relationship between the consumption of fruits and vegetables and mental wellbeing and life satisfaction indicators.

Researches indicate physical activity also contributed in mental wellbeing and health, suggesting adding one portion of fruits and vegetables to your diet can lead to mental wellbeing; as going for a walk for an additional seven to eight days a month. One portion of fruit and vegetable was equal to one cup of raw vegetables or a piece of whole fruit.

Findings of this study can be encouraging to boost the consumption of fruit and vegetables on an everyday basis, as a viable means for improving mental wellbeing.  Although several studies have found a relationship between mental wellbeing and consumption of fruit and vegetables, more trials and researches were needed to provide a causal link between the two.