Is eating fruit and vegetables good? Of course, it has been known for some time. But now a study led byUniversity of Otago (New Zealand) suggests an extra benefit: their consumption could compensate for the negative effects of poor sleep quality.
The research, conducted on young adults, found an evident link between a better sleep quality to a better mental well -being, but also an equally clear one between consumption of fruit and vegetables and physical activity with psychological well -being.
In addition – and this was the most important surprise – the results also suggest that increasing the intake of fruit and vegetables could potentially contribute to mitigating the effects on the well -being of a bad quality of night sleep.
The benefits of fruit and vegetables
Eating fruit and vegetables is healthy, and this has been known for a long time. Many searches of the past but also very recent, have shown benefits due to a diet that includes these foods constantly.
A 2023 study even highlighted how to feed on five portions of fruit and vegetables every day can be beneficial for our physical fitness as much as 4,000 steps a day.
But not only physical benefits: a search from 2021 conducted by Edith Cowan University (Australia) also shows how a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is also associated with lower stress levels.
The connection between physical health and mental health
“Mens Sana in body body“The Latins said. Which, despite not having to support today’s scientific notions, were right. Not a few research connected better healthy behaviors to better physical health and the data also suggest that these behaviors can be connected to mental well -being.
A few months ago, however, a job led by the University of Georgia has discovered that the simple fact of physical activity does not guarantee improvement in mental health. The context in which we move, our motivation and the way in which we live that experience is much more,.
However, the research on this topic, in general, has only focused on mental illness, a measure distinct from positive psychological well -being, neglecting to consider how different healthy behaviors can interact to influence well -being.
The new study
To fill these and other gaps, the researchers have now analyzed in adults aged between 17 and 25 the relationships between three healthy behaviors quality of sleep, consumption of fruit and vegetables and physical activity, and psychological well -being.
In particular, they have processed the data of three studies:
- A survey conducted on 1,032 adults in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States;
- A 13 -day study conducted on 818 New Zealand adults who was asked to hold a daily diary;
- An 8 -day study conducted on 236 New Zealand adults who also wore Fitbit devices to monitor physical activity
The results
In all three studies, a better sleep quality has been associated with better mental well -being, with the consumption of fruit and vegetables in second place. Both behaviors showed benefits also by comparing different days for the same person, so eat more fruit and vegetables in one day has been associated with an increase in real -time well -being.
Even the physical activity, measured through fitbit or diaries, which were aligned, was related to better well -being, especially when compared in different days for a single individual rather than between different individuals.
The links between each of the three behaviors and well -being appeared independent and additives, which could mean that the more they practice, the greater the benefit for well -being. The only exception: a consumption of fruit and vegetables superior to the average seemed to mitigate the effects of a poor quality of night sleep, while a good night sleep seemed to protect from a lower intake of fruit and vegetables.
However, the sample under work was relatively homogeneous for countries of origin and age.
This age group is facing particular pressures, such as leaving home, financial stress, educational pressures and social stress factors that can reduce happiness – explains Jack Cooper, the main author of the research – understand which lifestyle factors favor well -being can help young adults not only to “get forward”, but to thrive during this critical phase of life
Future research could however fill some these limitations, for example by including participants from other countries and increasing the size of the sample to improve the possibility of drawing general conclusions.
Although this study could not demonstrate a causal link between these behaviors and mental well -being, the authors hope that their results can guide efforts to improve the psychological well -being of young adults.
Young adults must not reach an objective level of health to see an improvement in well -being. Sleep a little better, eat a little healthier or exercise exercise even for 10 more minutes than usual has been associated with improvements in the daily sensations
The work was published on Plos One.
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Sources: Eurekalert / Plos One
