New research by the University of Warwick indicates that increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables directly correlates with increased happiness, life satisfaction and well-being.

The study states that for each added portion of fruits and vegetables, up to 8 servings, there is an increase in happiness levels. In a society that strives to see immediate results, the previous promise of protection in the future against cancer, heart disease, blood pressure and weight control has been a weak motivation for many to eat more fruits and vegetables. However, according to Andrew Oswald, a professor of Economics and Behavioural Science at the University of Warwick, Eating fruits and vegetables apparently boosts our happiness far more quickly than it improves human health.

“Well-being improvements are closer to immediate”

For the public, health professionals and policy makers this is new information to encourage the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables in our Western Culture with quick and long term gains for both our mental and physical health.

“Perhaps our results will be more effective than traditional messages in
convincing people to have a healthy diet. There is a psychological
payoff now from fruit and vegetables -- not just a lower health”
Dr Redzo Mujcic, research fellow at the University of Queensland.

Resources:

http://ajph.aphapublications.o...

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/n...

Hung, H.C., et al., Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of major chronic disease. J Natl Cancer Inst, 2004. 96(21): p. 1577-84.

He, F.J., et al., Increased consumption of fruit and vegetables is related to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: meta-analysis of cohort studies. J Hum Hypertens, 2007. 21(9): p. 717-28