Researchers found that higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and fish is linked to improved mental well-being. A study using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing in England discovered that eating more of these foods can boost happiness, life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose.
Foods like fruits and veggies have been shown to be associated with higher levels of eudemonic well-being, which includes aspects such as having positive relationships. Fish intake was also linked to greater happiness. These findings suggest that what we eat may affect our mental health.
The study looked at the relationship between diet and positive well-being among middle-aged and older adults in England. Researchers included 3,103 participants in their sample and analyzed data from two 24-hour recall questionnaires. The results showed that higher fruit and vegetable intake was linked to greater eudemonic well-being, while fish intake was associated with higher happiness.
However, the study has limitations. It relied on participant reporting, which can lead to bias, and most participants were white, limiting generalizability to other groups. More research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the relationship between diet and mental health in different populations.
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/4-types-foods-can-boost-happiness-well-being-aging-adults