Can Fruits Keep Depression Away? New Study Says Yes

Can Fruits Keep Depression Away? New Study Says Yes
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According to a recent body of research, those who consume fruit on a regular basis are statistically much less likely to have symptoms of depression and are more likely to report higher levels of positive mental wellness.

On the other hand, persons who consume salty snacks like crisps, which are poor in nutrients, are more likely to report higher feelings of anxiety, according to researchers at Aston University in the UK. These findings were published in the journal British Journal of Nutrition.

This study, which was conducted in the United Kingdom and published in the British Journal of Nutrition, questioned a total of 428 adults from different parts of the country about their consumption of fruit, vegetables, as well as sweet and savory food snacks. The researchers were interested in determining whether or not there was a connection between these individuals’ dietary habits and the state of their mental health.

The findings indicated that there may be a connection between the consumption of nutrient-dense fruits and the consumption of nutrient-deficient salty snacks for one’s mental health. However, there was no clear correlation shown between consuming veggies and having a healthy mental state.

The heating process may destroy some of the beneficial antioxidants, fiber, and vital micronutrients that are found in fruits and vegetables. However, eating raw fruits and vegetables is still the best way to receive these nutrients. Independent of the total amount of fruit consumed, the results of the study showed that the more often individuals consumed fruit, the lower their scores were for depression and the better their scores were for mental wellness.

People who frequently snacked on nutrient-poor savory foods (such as crisps) were more likely to experience “everyday mental lapses” (also known as subjective cognitive failures) and report lower levels of mental wellbeing. This was especially true for people who snacked on nutrient-poor savoury foods more frequently. A larger number of lapses was related with increased reports of feelings of worry, tension, and sadness, as well as worse scores on measures of mental wellness.


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Anna is an avid blogger with an educational background in medicine and mental health. She is a generalist with many other interests including nutrition, women's health, astronomy and photography. In her free time from work and writing, Anna enjoys nature walks, reading, and listening to jazz and classical music.

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