Eating
fruits
offers numerous health benefits, which is why they recommend including them in your daily diet.
And it also helps
improve mental health in a few days
, according to a new scientific study.
"Appropriately selecting foods for our diet, coupled with physical activity and putting aside bad habits, is essential for our health," explains the
Mayo Clinic
website , a non-profit entity dedicated to clinical practice, education and the investigation.
So fruits emerge as complete foods, full of vitamins and nutrients, and very easy to combine in meals.
In any case,
it is always important to consult your doctor
before making a decision related to diet, so that he or she can provide the best diagnosis and advice.
What fruits are good for mental health
A new study published in
The British Journal of Nutrition
found that
kiwi
can improve
"vitality and mood in just four days
."
Researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand found an effective way for people to protect themselves with their consumption.
"It's great for people to know that small changes to their diet, like adding kiwi, could make a difference in how they feel each day," said co-author Professor
Tamlin Conner, from the Department of Psychology.
Kiwi can improve your mood in just a few days.
When talking about
"hairy fruits"
the reference usually has to do with their outer surface.
A clear example is the kiwi, due to its brown, hairy skin and vibrant green pulp.
The tiny hairs on the kiwi skin are edible and the fruit offers a
sweet and spicy flavor
.
Another example they mention in is
rambutan
, a tropical fruit with a red or yellow hairy skin and a translucent, juicy pulp inside.
According to how specialists describe them, these fruits usually have unique textures and flavors, which makes them not only visually distinctive but also attractive to those seeking diverse and exotic taste experiences.
What the new study says about fruits and mental health
A study reveals the impact of certain fruits on mental health.
Researchers connected the link between vitamin C and its impact on mental health.
Vitamin C intake
is associated with an improvement in mood, vitality, well-being
, as well as its deficiency with depression and cognitive impairment.
The study included 155 participants, who took a vitamin C supplement, a placebo or two kiwis daily, reports the
ETimes site.
Then it was the turn to report on the indicated parameters: vitality, mood, prosperity, quality and quantity of sleep and physical activity
through surveys on smartphones
.
So they discovered that kiwi supplementation improved vitality and mood
within four days
, peaking between
14 and 16 days
.
Vitamin C, on the other hand, marginally improved mood until day 12.
Rambutan, a "hairy fruit" that the study also mentions.
How vitamin C influences mood
Vitamin C, an essential nutrient found in fruits and vegetables, plays a crucial role in mental health.
As
an antioxidant
, it helps fight oxidative stress,
protecting the brain from free radical damage
linked to cognitive decline and mental disorders, they report in
MedlinePlus
, the US National Library of Medicine.
In addition, it promotes the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, vital for regulating mood.
Adequate intake also improves cognitive function,
memory and concentration.
Its
anti-inflammatory
properties further contribute to overall brain health.
While not a cure for mental health conditions, maintaining sufficient levels of vitamin C through a balanced diet can positively influence emotional well-being and cognitive resilience.
Vitamin C improves mood, vitality and well-being.
Photo Shutterstock.
Is it better to eat fruits or take supplements?
"Our study suggests that kiwi consumption, and to
a lesser extent vitamin C supplementation
, can lead to mood-related improvements in a relatively short time (4 to 16 days), even in a relatively healthy population and with good mental health," the researchers highlight in the publication.
"And they add that whole food sources (kiwi) showed
greater and more consistent improvements
over time than vitamin C alone, and that they were most notable for people who had low vitamin C levels at the start of the study."