Mental health conditions continue to be a pressing issue in countries all over the world. And with the global pandemic still ongoing, stress levels among people are likely at a high. And being exposed to stress for a long time can cause adverse health effects such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, and anxiety.
Luckily, there’s a way to lessen stress and that’s by eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
According to new research from Edith Cowan University in Australia, people who ate at least 470 grams of fruit and vegetables a day had 10 percent lower stress levels compared to those who consumed less than 230 grams.
The study is said to strengthen the link between diets rich in fruit and vegetables and mental well-being.
One reason for this beneficial link is because fruits and vegetables contain important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and carotenoids that help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress which are known to increase the levels of stress, anxiety, and lower a person’s mood.
Hopefully, these results will help encourage more people to start a healthy diet that consists of fruits and vegetables.
Read more about farming and gardening at agriculture.com.ph.