A healthy and balanced diet is beneficial for our physical health, but a new study has found that it can also boost mental health. In particular, consuming more fruit has been associated with an overall improvement in mental health and a reduction in symptoms of depression.
A team of researchers from Aston University surveyed over 400 adults in the UK about their mental health and dietary habits, detailing their snack consumption. They discovered that individuals who snacked on fruit, as opposed to tasty, sweet snacks and vegetables, had lower depression scores and higher mental health, even after accounting for differences in age, overall health, and exercise levels.
The researchers noted that consuming tasty snacks was linked to increased symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety, and lower psychological well-being, due to a rise in cognitive failure. While the study cannot prove that eating fruit directly improves mental health, lead author Dr. Nicola Giann Take pointed out that "snacking on whole fruit may increase nutrient absorption... thus having a stronger impact on mental health." Conversely, individuals who consumed more "salty foods that lack nutrients" experienced poorer mental health.
