Fruits and vegetables increase satisfaction and well-being

If people eat more fruits and vegetables, they become happier
Do not all people want to be happier and happier? There seems to be a simple little trick to increase our satisfaction and well-being. Researchers have found that consuming fruits and vegetables increases our happiness and satisfaction.

Are you often in a bad mood and dissatisfied with your life? Then maybe you should just eat more fruits and vegetables. Researchers found in an investigation that every additional daily portion of fruit and vegetables improves satisfaction. This benefit could be demonstrated in up to eight servings of fruit and vegetables a day. The University of Warwick physicians released a press release on their investigations. Additionally, the study was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Fruits and vegetables taste good and are healthy. Researchers have now discovered that fruits and vegetables can even enhance our well-being and inner contentment. (Image: PhotoSG / fotolia.com)

Study examines psychological benefits of fruits and vegetables
The new study is one of the first major scientific experiments to establish the psychological benefits of fruits and vegetables. Apart from the positive effects on our risk of heart attacks and cancers, there is little research into how fruits and vegetables affect our well-being and life satisfaction, say the authors. Fruit has not only advantages, unfortunately most fruit contains a lot of fructose. For that reason, it should not be consumed in excess. Even the currently very popular smoothies are no exception. For some people, the question surely arises: what is better? Smoothie or fruit?

Eight portions of vegetables and fruits a day significantly increase life satisfaction
Researchers came to the conclusion that when people eat eight servings of fruits and vegetables a day, there is a significant increase in life satisfaction. This increase corresponds approximately to the transition from unemployment to employment, explain the authors. The improvement of well-being happened within a period of 24 months.

Fruits and vegetables immediately begin to improve our well-being
"Consuming fruits and vegetables seems to increase our happiness much faster than improving human health," said lead author Andrew Oswald of the University of Warwick in the UK. Often, the motivation to eat healthy food is weakened by the fact that the physical benefits to human health (for example, the protection against cancer) only occur years or decades later. "The improvement in our well-being, however, can be seen immediately after an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables," adds Oswald.

Study examines more than 12,000 subjects
For their study, the scientists examined more than 12,000 randomly selected individuals. The subjects had to keep food diaries and the researchers observed the mental well-being of the participants. The physicians found that already within two years with a healthier diet, great psychological benefits were noted.

Start eating more fruits and vegetables today
Hopefully, the results of our new study will more effectively convince people to pay more attention to a healthy diet, scientists say. There is already an immediate improvement in well-being through the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and not a small reduction in the risk to our health until several decades later, the authors add. So, what are you waiting for? Start eating more fruits and vegetables today to increase your happiness and inner happiness. (As)