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How Fruit Can Improve Your Mental Health

User Profile: comfortableNight4463
comfortableNight4463 September 29th, 2022

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"A study published earlier this year in the British Journal of Nutrition reported that eating fruit regularly can improve your mental health.

The frequency of eating fruit was found to be more important than the total amount consumed. The researchers also found that those who frequently snacked on nutrient-poor savory foods (such as chips) were more likely to experience everyday mental lapses, lower mental well-being, and higher anxiety, stress, and depression. “It is possible that changing what we snack on could be a really simple and easy way to improve our mental well-being,” Tuck added. “Overall, it’s definitely worth trying to get into the habit of reaching for the fruit bowl.”

Inflammation and Depression

A potential mechanism by which frequent fruit consumption may lead to lower levels of depression is by decreasing inflammatory processes. Levels of inflammatory cytokines tend to be higher in people with mood disorders, and drugs that increase inflammatory cytokines cause depression in some individuals. Two potent promoters of inflammation are refined carbohydrates and refined vegetable oils frequently found in ultra-processed foods recently linked to higher risks for dementia and adverse mental health symptoms.

In contrast, fruits contain high levels of phytochemicals that act as anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. The most common phytochemical group is flavonoids, which give fruits their vibrant colors.

One Way to Get More Fruit Into Your Diet

So, regular consumption of a diverse selection of colorful fruits could provide significant mental health benefits. Personally, my favorite way to incorporate regular servings of various fruits into my diet is with fruit smoothies."

Read the complete article available at Psychology Today!

Reflection:

How often do you eat fruits?

#Fruits #Mentalhealth #Research
2
User Profile: sunnyWriting4806
sunnyWriting4806 September 29th, 2022

@comfortableNight4463

I make this berry mango smoothie with spinach every other day and will incorporate a banana in my workout everyday. Fruits are so simple yet so powerful to maintaining and improving health in all aspects!

User Profile: innateJoy9602
innateJoy9602 September 29th, 2022

@comfortableNight4463

I have an apple every morning!

But, I should try to get some more fruit in throughout the day! 💛💫

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