Not only physical health, but also psychological health is closely linked to nutrition. This is shown by a new study from Australia.
Those who eat lots of fruit and vegetables live healthier lives. New research shows that plant-based foods also have a positive impact on mental health. This could be an important finding, especially for people aged 45 and over.
An Australian research team from the University of New South Wales in Sydney recently published a comprehensive meta-study. This shows a significant connection between a high consumption of fruit and vegetables and a lower risk of developing depression. The researchers evaluated data from almost 3,500 twins from four international studies – from Australia, Denmark, Sweden and the USA – over a period of eleven years. The test subjects were 45 years of age and older at the time of the final examination.
“Twin pairs share 50 to 100 percent of their genetic background and, if they grow up together, the family environment,” explained study author Dr. Karen Mather in a press release. The twin design of the study also helps to minimize confounding factors such as socioeconomic status in early adolescence.
The results were clear: people who ate lots of fruit and vegetables had fewer depressive symptoms. At low values, average consumption was only 0.3 servings of fruit and 0.5 servings of vegetables per day. On the other hand, the subjects with the highest consumption consumed an average of 2.1 servings of fruit or two servings of vegetables per day – still less than the recommended amount.
The researchers suspect there are several reasons for this: “The high content of fiber, vitamins and micronutrients is most likely responsible for the positive health effect,” says the study. Plant-based foods contribute to the positive composition of the intestinal microbiome and protect the brain from oxidative damage. However, it still needs to be investigated whether this reduces the risk of depression in the long term.
“The results provide a further argument for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in adults over 45 years of age,” said study author Dr. Annabel Matison according to the press release. Doctors should specifically support their patients in increasing their fruit and vegetable consumption – according to the motto: five a day.
