The saying goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While the extent to which this is true remains debatable, a new Australian study suggests that eating an extra serving of fruit each day may be associated with a lower risk of depression and anxiety symptoms.
The findings come from a new medical study conducted in Australia by researchers at the University of Sydney.
The study involved more than 6,500 children and young people who were followed for three years.
Researchers found that consuming an additional amount of fruit each day was associated with a 13% lower risk of experiencing symptoms of depression.
Similarly, the risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety disorders was found to be 7% lower.
The study also found that higher consumption of sugary drinks, including soft drinks, was associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
The association appeared to be stronger among boys, particularly in relation to anxiety.
Researchers said the findings highlight that dietary choices may play an important role beyond physical health and can also be linked to mental wellbeing.
However, the researchers stressed that the findings do not mean that eating an apple prevents depression or that soft drinks directly cause anxiety. Mental health is considerably more complex than individual dietary choices.
They noted that food is an important part of everyday life and may influence mental health, making these findings significant.
According to the researchers, the findings could contribute to efforts aimed at preventing mental health disorders among young people. They suggested that improving access to nutritious foods could be an important part of supporting better health outcomes.