7-a-day for happiness and mental health
Happiness and mental health are highest among people who eat seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day, according to a new report.
Economists and public health researchers from the University of Warwick studied the eating habits of 80,000 people in Britain. They found mental wellbeing appeared to rise with the number of daily portions of fruit and vegetables people consumed. Wellbeing peaked at seven portions a day.
The research was carried out in conjunction with Dartmouth College in the USA and is due to be published in the journal Social Indicators Research.
Most western governments currently recommend ‘5 a day’ for cardiovascular health and as protection against cancer risk.
In Britain today, a quarter of the population eat just one portion or no portions of fruit and vegetables per day. Only a tenth of the British population currently consume the magic number of seven or more daily portions. The study does not distinguish among different kinds of fruits and vegetables and it defines a portion as approximately 80 grams.
Study co-author Professor Sarah Stewart-Brown, Professor of Public Health at Warwick Medical School, said “The statistical power of fruit and vegetables was a surprise. Diet has traditionally been ignored by well-being researchers.”
She emphasized that much remained to be learned about cause-and-effect and about the possible mechanisms at work, and that randomized trials should now be considered.
Fellow co-author, economist Professor Andrew Oswald from the Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE) in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick, said: “This study has shown surprising results and I have decided it is prudent to eat more fruit and vegetables. I am keen to stay cheery.”
Notes to editors
The study ‘Is Psychological Well-being Linked to the Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables?’ by David G. Blanchflower, Andrew J. Oswald, and Sarah Stewart-Brown is available here
Professor Stewart-Brown can be reached at Warwick Medical School on 02476 574510 or on mobile 07824 541126, or by email on sarah.stewart-brown@warwick.ac.uk.
Broadcasters - We have a camera and ISDN line on campus if you would like interview Professor Sarah Stewart-Brown for radio or television.
Professor Oswald is currently working in Germany and can be reached there on international cell-phone number +44 7876 217717 or by email through andrew.oswald@warwick.ac.uk
Kelly Parkes-Harrison, Press and Communications Manager, University of Warwick, k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk, +44 (0) 7824 540863, +44 (0)2476 150868
