According to a new study, eating two kiwis a day helps improve mood and mental well-being.
- Eating kiwifruit daily helps improve mood, new study suggests.
- Relying on these fruits to boost your vitamin C intake offers an improvement in mental health in 4 days.
- Researchers believe that whole fruits are more beneficial than vitamin C supplements.
If you have low morale and energy, eating two kiwis a day can improve vitality and mood in 4 days. This is what a study published in the journal ensures British Journal of Nutrition in December 2023.
Mental health and kiwi: rapid beneficial effects on mood
A large body of research has demonstrated that the vitamin C East associated to an improvement in mood and vitality, while a deficiency increases the risk of depression and cognitive disorders. The professor Tamlin Conner from the university ofOtago (New Zealand) wanted to determine the most effective method of supplying the nutrient as well as its speed of action.
To do this, she asked 155 adults with low vitamin C levels to take either a supplement or two kiwis (approximately 82mg of vitamin C per 100 grams)or a placebo. During the eight weeks of the trial, volunteers were asked to report their vitality, mood, fulfillment, quality and quantity of sleep and physical activity using a smartphone questionnaire.
Analysis of the data shows that people eating two kiwis a day showed an improvement in their vitality and mood within four days. A peak was recorded between 14 and 16 days. In addition, these participants said they were more fulfilled after two weeks. The group that took vitamin C supplements, for their part, recorded a slight increase in mood until the 12th day.
“It’s great for people to know that small changes to their diet, like adding kiwifruit, can make a difference to how they feel every day“notice Pr Conner in a communicated.
Vitamin C : favor whole fruits
Dr. Ben Fletcherlead author of the research, says his work helps to better identify how the effects of vitamin C occur in everyday life. “This helps us understand that what we eat can have a relatively rapid impact on how we feel,” explains the scientist. Our participants had relatively good mental health at baseline and therefore had little room for improvement, but they still reported benefits from kiwi or vitamin interventions. VS.”
For him, the results confirm that – although vitamin C tablets showed some improvements – consuming whole foods rich in the vitamin presents more benefits. “We encourage a holistic approach to nutrition and wellness, incorporating various nutrient-dense foods into your diet”he concludes.