Large positive psychological benefits were found within two years of an improved diet consisting of more fruit and vegetables, the researchers said.
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“However, well-being improvements from increased consumption of fruit and vegetables are closer to immediate”.
The team adjusted the data for issues that could affect life satisfaction, such as changes in income and personal circumstances.
The diaries of 12,385 Australian adults from 2007, 2009, and 2013 were looked at in the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey.
The researchers from University Warwick discovered that eating the extra daily portion of fruit and vegetables up to 8 portions each day could heighten the people’s happiness levels. He further explained that people’s motivation to eat healthy food is weakened by the fact that physical health benefits, such as protecting against cancer, build up decades later.
Professor Andrew Oswald explained that eating fruit and vegetables apparently boosts people’s happiness far more quickly than it improves human health.
No matter the reason behind this mood-boosting study, one thing is sure: eating more fresh, healthy foods is sure to impact your body-and mind-for the better.
The questions were simple enough: ‘How many days of the week do you consume fruit?’ and ‘How many days of the week do you consume vegetables?’ This was then stratified according to quantity.
Most fruits are low in calories, sodium and fat. Because of this, the scientists could not conclude whether eating fruit and vegetables makes you more optimistic, or that optimistic people simply eat more fruits and veggies.
A new study exploring the benefits that fruit and vegetables can have for psychological well-being has demonstrated that they can “substantially” increase happiness levels. The pleasure derived by shifting from almost no intake of fruits and vegetables to 8 portions of fruits and vegetables daily was same as the contentment felt by the person when moving from unemployment to employment.
It’s always been said that eating fruit and vegetables is good for you health – but now it seems it can make you happier too.
Understanding this, as well as further exploring the relationship between antioxidants and optimism is an area where further research is needed. He is also a member of the University’s Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE). Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), CAGE is carrying out a 10 year programme of innovative research.
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Redzo Mujcic PhD is a Research Fellow in the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia.
