Rapid Improvement in Mental Health Found by Scientists through Consumption of this Fruit

A recent study at the University of Otago has revealed that kiwifruit, packed with vitamin C, can notably boost mood and vitality in as little as four days. Through the use of technology like smartphone surveys, the research evaluated the upliftment in mood, vitality, and overall health of 155 adult participants who had decreased vitamin C levels. The results emphasize the advantages of incorporating food sources rich in nutrients into your daily meal plans, particularly for benefiting mental health.

The potent effects of kiwifruit as an enhancer of mood have been validated, with the University of Otago study further establishing the rapid impact of the fruit. As published in The British Journal of Nutrition, the study discovered that the fuzzy fruit can improve vitality and mood in just a matter of four days.

The co-author of the research, Professor Tamlin Conner from the Department of Psychology, states that these findings offer a practical and accessible means for individuals to boost their mental health. He expressed, "It's encouraging to know that something as simple as adding kiwifruit to a diet can have such a positive effect on a person's daily mood."

Although vitamin C consumption has always been linked with enhancing mood, vitality, and general well-being, there has been limited exploration into the speed at which these improvents occur after introducing vitamin C intake through dietary supplements or whole food sources, Conner states.

The research was designed to bridge this knowledge gap via an 8-week diet plan involving 155 adults who were vitamin C deficient. The participants were given either a vitamin C supplement, a placebo, or two kiwifruits each day. The effects on their vitality, mood, flourishing, sleep quality, sleep duration, and physical activity were then tracked via smartphone surveys.

The team of researchers observed that taking kiwifruits as a supplement enhanced vitality and mood within four days, peaking between 14 to16 days, and flourishing from day 14 onwards. However, vitamin C showed only marginal mood improvements up until the 12th day.

The head investigator of the study, Dr. Ben Fletcher, who conducted this research for his Ph.D. at Otago, expresses that comprehending the variations of when and how these effects trigger daily would contribute to our understanding of the potential pros of vitamin C-rich foods and supplements for mental health. Fletcher adds, "Despite our participants initially possessing relatively good mental health, they still reported the positive effects of the consumption of kiwifruit or vitamin C."

In addition to individual benefits of the study findings, Professor Conner stated that the research introduces a novel technique for nutritional investigation. Utilizing intensive smartphone surveys provides an insight into the daily mood-related outcomes. Dr. Fletcher adds, "Even though vitamin C tablets showed minor improvements, our research emphasizes the combined potential benefits of consuming whole foods like kiwifruit. We advocate a comprehensive approach to nutrition and well-being, integrating a variety of nutrient-rich foods into your diet."