A diet rich in vegetables and fruit is associated with reduced psychological distress, a detailed analysis of health survey data from more than 45,000 Australians has found.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0study\u00a0by QUT researchers based at Brisbane\u2019s\u00a0Translational Research Institute\u00a0(TRI) found that people who consumed less than one serve of vegetables per day had 1.6 times the odds of suffering psychological distress compared with those who consumed five or more serves per day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Psychological distress is an umbrella term covering depression, anxiety and stress.<\/p>\n
Study first author Dr Kerri Gillespie from QUT\u2019s\u00a0School of Clinical Sciences, found the benefit of vegetable consumption appeared to be greatest in women.<\/p>\n
\u201cWomen appear to go on benefiting from vegetables in their diet up to five or more serves per day, while for men the benefit appears to peak at around three or four serves per day,\u201d Dr Gillespie said.<\/p>\n
The study also found a correlation between fruit consumption and reduced prevalence of psychological distress, but mostly for women and only up to two daily servings.<\/p>\n
Study last author Professor Selena Bartlett, from QUT\u2019s\u00a0School of Clinical Sciences, said the findings were unexpected.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe findings are extremely significant because it\u2019s an Australian study with a very large sample of more than 45,000 people. It\u2019s very exciting,\u201d Professor Bartlett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCorrelation is never causation, and we have to be careful about that, but rarely do we think deeply about how diet affects our psychological health, and I think that’s the beauty of the study.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Gillespie conducted a second\u00a0study\u00a0of the association of diet with mental health based on an online survey of healthy adults.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe found an interesting pattern between the consumption of sugary soft drink and the risk of depression,\u201d Dr Gillespie said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving seven or more cups of soft drinks a week increased the odds of depression by almost five times.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cConversely, there appears to be a relationship between a high fibre diet and slightly lower anxiety.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Gillespie cautioned that the study was based on a sample of only 129 people, but it showed patterns that could be looked for in a larger sample.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Professor Bartlett said Dr Gillespie\u2019s work added to the evidence of a link between diet and mental health.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the curiosity to ask these questions, that\u2019s how these papers happened,\u201d Professor Bartlett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not in any way saying eating more vegetables is a cure for mental health, but this research supports the existing health messaging recommending diets high in vegetables and low in sugar.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope this work will help the public and improve health and well-being, which is our role here at the Translational Research Institute,\u201d Professor Bartlett said.<\/p>\n