01/08/2019 / By Ellaine Castillo
A study by researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand revealed that the consumption of raw fruits and vegetables has better effects on mental health compared to when the processed versions of these are eaten. This finding, which was published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, was determined based on the results of an online survey.
Results of the survey showed that raw fruit and vegetable intake potentially reduces depressive symptoms and improves mood, life satisfaction, and flourishing. Moreover, they determined that the raw foods that are most associated with better mental health include carrots, bananas, apples, dark leafy greens like spinach, grapefruit, lettuce, citrus fruits, fresh berries, cucumber, and kiwifruit.
The full text of the study is available at this link.
For more articles on how food can affect a person’s mental health, visit Mental.news.
Journal Reference:
Brookie KL, Best GI, Conner TS. INTAKE OF RAW FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IS ASSOCIATED WITH BETTER MENTAL HEALTH THAN INTAKE OF PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. Frontiers in Psychology. 10 April 2018;9. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00487
Tagged Under: food processing, fruits, raw foods, vegetables