For the first time, researchers have shown a causal link between the consumption of fruits and vegetables, the practice of physical exercise and increased levels of happiness.
Eating five fruits and vegetables a day and participating in regular physical activity not only helps you stay healthy … it makes you happier!
This is shown by a new study conducted by researchers at the universities of Kent and Reading (United Kingdom) and published in the Journal of Happiness Studies.
Self-control as a key to well-being
The link between healthy lifestyle and well-being is regularly used in public health campaigns to encourage healthier diets and physical activity. But until now, no scientific work has succeeded in demonstrating this causal link.
This is now done thanks to the authors of this study, who used an instrumental variable approach to filter out any effect of happiness on lifestyle. The results show that it is more the consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical exercise that make people happy and not the other way around.
More specifically, it is the ability of individuals to delay gratification and demonstrate self-control that plays a major role in influencing lifestyle decisions. And it has a positive impact on mental well-being. The study also shows gender differences: men tend to exercise more while women eat more fruits and vegetables.
“A win-win situation”
Lifestyle-related illnesses are one of the leading causes of ill health and death worldwide, and the UK has one of the highest obesity rates in Europe. Also, the researchers hope that these results will have important repercussions on the public health policy carried out in the country.
“If a better lifestyle not only allows us to be healthier but also to be happier, then this is clearly a win-win situation.”, says Adelina Dr Gschwandtner of the University of Kent School of Economics.
“In recent years, there has been a stronger shift towards healthier lifestyle choices. Establishing that eating more fruits and vegetables and exercising can increase happiness while also exercising. offering health benefits is a major development. It can also prove useful for political campaigns on environment and sustainability “, concludes Prof. Uma Kambhampati, from the School of Economics at the University of Reading.
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