University of Warwick research indicates that eating more fruit and vegetables can substantially increase people’s happiness levels. People’s motivation to eat healthy food is weakened by the fact that physical-health benefits, such as protecting against cancer, accrue decades later. However, well-being improvements from increased consumption of fruit and vegetables are closer to immediate said Professor Andrew Oswald
The researchers found that happiness increased incrementally for each extra daily portion of fruit and vegetables up to eight portions per day. The researchers found that happiness increased incrementally for each extra daily portion of fruit and vegetables up to eight portions per day. The study involved an examination of longitudinal food diaries of 12,385 randomly sampled Australian adults over 2007, 2009, and 2013 in the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. The authors adjusted the effects on incident changes in happiness and life satisfaction for people’s changing incomes and personal circumstances.
The paper entitled ‘Evolution of Well-Being and Happiness After Increases in Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables’ is a collaboration between the University of Warwick, England and the University of Queensland, Australia and will be published in the American Journal of Public Health
The study has policy implications, particularly in the developed world where the typical citizen eats an unhealthy diet. The findings could be used by health professionals to persuade people to consume more fruits and vegetables.
There is the belief that it may be possible to eventually to link this study to current research into antioxidants which suggests a connection between optimism and carotenoid in the blood, however further research would be needed in this area.
Andrew Oswald, PhD is a Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science, University of Warwick, UK. He is also a member of the University’s Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE) The centre’s research programme is focused on how countries succeed in achieving key economic objectives such as improving living standards, raising productivity, and maintaining international competitiveness, which are central to the economic wellbeing of their citizens.
Redzo Mujcic PhD is a Research Fellow in the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia.