New research is showing that a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables can also be good for the mind, especially for growing children.
Research published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health shows that consuming more fruits and vegetables is strongly linked to better mental health. Moreover, research shows that a nutritious breakfast and lunch are associated with emotional well-being, regardless of age.
"I am glad that there is research that focuses on children, good nutrition and its effects on mental health. "There seems to be more stress and anxiety in children now, especially with the pandemic and being away from peers for so long," said Audrey Koltun, a pediatric endocrinologist at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New York.
To see if dietary choices could be linked to mental health, researchers used surveys from more than 50 schools in the UK. In total, nearly 11,000 students completed the survey (with 8,823 valid surveys). The research found that students who ate one or two servings of fruits and vegetables a day scored 1.42 higher units, while eating three or four servings showed an increase of 2.34 of the units of measurement for mental health. Those who ate five or more servings had a score of 3.73 units higher.
The study authors acknowledge that their research has limitations, including the fact that survey responses may be inaccurate.
However, this does not mean that there is no link between fruits and vegetables and mental health.
Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber and bring a variety of physical benefits. The link between physical health and mental health has long been known, including the link between a healthy diet and mood.
