You should eat fruits often to improve your mental health
A new study published in British Journal of Nutrition proves it once again. According to its conclusions, the consumption of fruit would be linked to mental health: people who often eat fruit would be less at risk of depression.
“Other studies have found a link between fruits and vegetables and mental health, but few have looked at fruits and vegetables separately – and there are even fewer that assess both the frequency and amount of consumption” says the lead author of the study, Nicola-Jayne Tuck.
Frequency more than quantity
Produced by researchers from College of Health and Life Sciences from Aston University, UK, the study is based on a survey, submitted to nearly 430 adults. Through their responses, the researchers examined the relationship between their consumption of fruits, vegetables, sweet and salty snacks and their psychological health, while taking into account demographic factors and lifestyle. They conclude that the more often people eat fruit, the lower they score on depression and the higher they score on mental well-being, regardless of the overall amount of fruit eaten. This means that frequency would have more impact than quantity.
“Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, fiber and essential micronutrients that support optimal brain function, but these nutrients can be lost during cooking assumes the main author. As we are more likely to eat raw fruits, this could potentially explain their greater influence on our psychological health.”
Memory lapses
In contrast, no link was found between vegetable consumption and psychological well-being. The team also observed that people who eat salty snacks such as crisps, which are low in nutrients, are more likely to report higher levels of anxiety. It also increases the risk of cognitive failure, or more simply of a memory lapse. “Some of these frustrating little daily mental lapses include forgetting where objects have been placed, forgetting purpose when entering a room, and inability to remember names of acquaintances when they are on the “tip of the tongue”detail the researchers in a press release.
Change your habits
“Very little is known about how diet can affect mental health and well-being, and although we haven’t looked directly at causation here, our results might suggest that frequent snacking nutrient-poor salty foods can increase daily mental lapses, which in turn reduces psychological health”analyzes researcher Nicola-Jayne Tuck.
For him, changing eating habits is a profitable strategy, rather than snacking on salty, nutritionally uninteresting snacks, it is better to eat fruit. “Overall, it’s definitely worth trying to get into the habit of eating a whole bowl of fruit”he believes.
