Eating an apple or a carrot stick may not induce the
immediate spike in energy or joy that a cup of coffee or a hot fudge sundae
creates, but the long term benefit is enduring happiness. A recent study from
England and Australia promotes the increase of fruits and vegetables in one’s
diet to experience happiness long term.
Two joining universities studied the food journals of about
12,000 people and the effects diet had on mood and health. The results showed
that people who ate an extra serving of produce in a day experienced happiness
symptoms congruent with the amount they consumed. Those participants that went
from zero to 100, having consumed no produce in the past and changing their
diets to eating eight servings a day, reported happiness feelings similar to
those who went from being unemployed to getting their dream job. The difference
was staggering.
We have all been told to eat our vegetables and fruits from
the time we were little kids, hearing that they were good for us. Studies have
shown for years that produce consumption increases health and long life, but
these foods do not create instantaneous spikes in serotonin. The feel-good
benefits of fruits and vegetables generally start to show after around two years
of changing one’s diet.
Despite all we know about how good produce is for us, the
CDC says that 76% of Americans still do not eat the recommended servings of
fruit per day, and 87% aren’t eating enough vegetables as well. In an instant
gratification kind of world, these foods don’t seem to have an attractive
record because the health benefits often come years later, like preventing
cancer. We like results we can see right away.
This study hopes to show that mental health benefits may not
be instantaneous, but are felt rather quickly in comparison. A year or two of
eating vegetables and fruits is not a very long time, especially if it could
monumentally upgrade your mood and general happiness.
The study did not show exactly why produce seemed to
increase happiness, and more investigation is under way. The hypothesis is that
these types of foods heighten the level of antioxidants in the blood, which can
have a similar effect.
The case for fruits and veggies keeps getting stronger and
stronger. For all the curmudgeons who still doubt the benefits and stay away
from produce, eat an apple and try not to smile.