'An Apple a Day' Keeps the Psychiatrist Away

Though they may not be covered in chocolate and sugar, your favorite fruits and veggies aren't just physically beneficial for you. Regular consumption of these foods might actually make you feel happier.

According to a recent study conducted in 2012 that involved 80,000 people, researchers found that happiness and strong mental health may actually be higher in those who consume daily portions of fruits and veggies. In fact, the study showed that higher levels of happiness and better health actually stemmed from daily portions of fruit and vegetable intake.

They also found that well-being can come from seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day, at approximately 2.8 ounces per serving. According to background information from the study, researchers used seven different measures to record a sense of well-being and purposely made the sample size very large so that they could determine adequate demographic, social and economic variables.

And the results showed the amazing benefits for fruits and veggies, many of which are high in antioxidants, proteins, and offer other incredible nutritional benefits. However, the authors of the study claim that little has been done before about the benefits of fruits and vegetables and it's relationship to mental health.

You know that saying-"an apple a day keeps the doctor away?" Well, looks like it was probably true. And maybe when whoever came up with that term said 'doctor,' they didn't just mean primary care physician, they also meant psychiatrist (Wink, wink.)

More information regarding the study's findings can be found in the paper "Is Psychological Well-Being Linked to Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables?"