Previous research from Australia and New Zealand has shown that eating fruit and vegetables is not only good for your body but good for your mind as well. This study wanted to see if that connection held up with a much bigger data set, using 40,000 people in the UK. A key feature of the study was being able to follow the same individuals over time.
The UK study also controlled for other factors that may affect mental wellbeing, 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. They found that eating just one extra portion of fruits and vegetables a day could have the equivalent effect on mental wellbeing of eight extra days of walking per month (for at least 10 minutes at a time). The evidence for the psychological benefits of fruit and veg is building.
Source: Social Science & Medicine
