Is Psychological Well-being Linked to the Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables?

Abstract

Humans run on a fuel called food. Yet economists and other social scientists rarely study what people eat. We provide simple evidence consistent with the existence of a link between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and high well-being. In cross-sectional data, happiness and mental health rise in an approximately dose-response way with the number of daily portions of fruit and vegetables. The pattern is remarkably robust to adjustment for a large number of other demographic, social and economic variables. Well-being peaks at approximately 7 portions per day. We document this relationship in three data sets, covering approximately 80,000 randomly selected British individuals, and for seven measures of well-being (life satisfaction, WEMWBS mental well-being, GHQ mental disorders, self-reported health, happiness, nervousness, and feeling low). Reverse causality and problems of confounding remain possible. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of our analysis, how government policy-makers might wish to react to it, and what kinds of further research --especially randomized trials --would be valuable.

On carrots and curiosity: Eating fruit and vegetables is associated with greater flourishing in daily life

“…For example, in a large sample of over 80,000 British people, a dose-response relationship was found between daily servings of FV and both life satisfaction and happiness. People who consumed seven or eight portions of FV per day reported the highest life satisfaction and happiness (Blanchflower et al, 2012). These associations remained significant when controlling for demographic and health factors including employment status, income, social class, education, major illness, exercise, smoking, and body mass index (BMI).…”

“…The psychological benefits of FV are less established, but there is evidence that a higher intake is related to psychological well-being (Rooney et al, 2013). People who consume more FV show a lower incidence of depression (Adams & Colner, 2008;Allg€ ower, Wardle, & Steptoe, 2001;Carr, Bozonet, Pullar, & Vissers, 2013;Jacka et al, 2010;Kulkarni, Swinburn, & Utter, 2015;McMartin, Jacka, & Colman, 2013), greater happiness (Blanchflower, Oswald, & Stewart-Brown, 2012), and higher life satisfaction (Blanchflower et al, 2012;Grant, Wardle, & Steptoe, 2009;Lengyel, Tate, & Obirek-Blatz, 2009). For example, in a large sample of over 80,000 British people, a dose-response relationship was found between daily servings of FV and both life satisfaction and happiness.…”

Development of a Value Co‐Creation Wellness Model: The Role of Physicians and Digital Information Seeking on Health Behaviors and Health Outcomes

“…For example, evidence shows that increased physical activity reduces stress, anxiety, and depression (US Department of Health and Human Services 1996) and positively influences mood, satisfaction with life, and other aspects of mental well-being (Blair and Morris 2009;Haskell, Blair, and Hill 2009). Likewise, a growing stream of research indicates that people who eat more healthfully tend to experience less anxiety and depression (Jacka et al 2010) and to have a more positive life outlook and improved overall mental well-being (Blanchflower, Oswald, and Stewart-Brown 2013). Thus:…”

Sustainability assessment tools for organic greenhouse horticulture

“…In both developed and developing countries, diversification of diets through much more horticultural products can help fighting malnutrition and obesity (Lutaladio et al 2010). Recent economic research in developed countries indicates that doubling of vegetable and fruit consumption (beyond an average 5-a-day recommendation) can increase happiness and wellbeing (Blanchflower, Oswald and Stewart-Brown, 2013). This is particularly interesting as doubling of income or wealth beyond a certain average level has no such influence on happiness and wellbeing (Oswald pers.…”