Higher Fruit, Vegetable Consumption Tied to Well-being!
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The physical benefits of eating fruits and vegetables are well documented, but new research shows that higher consumption of these foods also improves mental health and well-being. Results of a large longitudinal study in the United Kingdom show that when individuals increased their fruit and vegetable consumption, their short-term mental well-being — as measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) — also increased. These findings, say investigators, provide yet more evidence that persuading people to consume more fruits and vegetables may not only bolster long-term physical health but also boost mental health.
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@nilanjana In addition to the well-documented benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption for physical health, recent research has begun to shine light on potential advantages with respect to mental and subjective well-being as well. In 2013, David G. Blanchflower, PhD, and colleagues demonstrated a positive association between eating fruits and vegetables and psychological well-being. In 2017, in a study entitled "Let Them Eat Fruit! The Effect of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Psychological Well-being in Young Adults," Tamlin S. Conner, PhD, and colleagues offered a more controlled look at the subject. In that trial, young adults in the treatment group received two additional portions of fruit and vegetables each day over a 2-week period.