Fruits and vegetables:How do they affect the mental health of kids?

Nearly 11,000 primary and secondary schoolchildren from 50 schools in the United Kingdom participated in a groundbreaking study that aimed to highlight the relationship between diet and mental health. Only 25% of secondary schoolchilren and 28.5% of primary school students reported eating the recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables everyday. In addition, 10% and 9%, respectively, did not eat fruits and vegetables at all. The study found that students who ate one or two servings of fruits and vegetables a day scored 1.42 points more in the surveys while those who ate three or four servings scored 2.34 points. Those who ate five or more servings had scored 3.73 points. “At a fundamental level, adequate nutrition is required to provide the building blocks for the growth and function of the body in both children and adults, including cell growth and replication, DNA synthesis, neurotransmitters and hormone metabolism. Optimal nutrition for children is crucial for the development of the brain”, the authors of the study wrote.

Why are fruits and vegetables so important?

According to experts, eating fruits and vegetables can only do good because they have infinite benefits. When you have good physical health your mental health is also in good condition. This applies not only to adults but also to children. It has long been known that proper nutrition can help the development of the brain. Now, however, it is even more important to link a healthy diet based not only on fruits and vegetables but also on a variety of other foods and a reduction in processed carbohydrates to mental health, especially in children. The study’s authors hope their research will encourage governments to implement policies that will help children have greater access to nutritious and fresh food both inside and outside the school environment. Giota Florou source: healthline.com Recent Articles