Source : Perth Now news
A daily glass of fruit juice could do more than help you hit your five-a-day – it may also help protect against depression.
Researchers found that adding a small glass of 100 per cent fruit juice or a smoothie to a healthy diet appeared to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
The study, led by Newcastle University and published in the British Journal of Nutrition, followed 42 adults who usually ate two or fewer portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
Participants were monitored over four weeks, with 28 increasing their intake to the recommended five-a-day. Half of those also drank a daily glass of fruit juice or smoothie, while 14 continued with their usual eating habits.
Researchers measured anxiety and depression using recognised questionnaires and found the biggest mood boost among those combining five-a-day with juice or smoothies.
Those who improved their fruit and vegetable intake without juice did not see the same mental health benefits.
Lead author Dr Courtney Neal said: “While most people know eating five-a-day can be good for our health, many people struggle to.
“Our trial showed that when people with low fruit and vegetable intake were provided with targeted financial and educational support to address common barriers to eating five-a-day, they were able to make meaningful changes to their diet.
“We found that simple, cost-effective solutions, like drinking a small glass of 100 per cent fruit juice or a smoothie daily, could help people reach their five-a-day, with potential benefits for mental well-being.”
The findings come as poor mental health continues to rise and fewer than one in five adults meet UK fruit and vegetable targets. Nearly 500,000 young people have sought mental health support through A+E departments in England since 2019.
Co-author Dr Oliver Shannon said: “Our study shows that drinking a daily glass of fruit juice or a smoothie could be part of the solution and help people reach five-a-day fruit and vegetable targets.
“The finding that fruit juice drinkers had reduced depression scores is promising and worthy of further exploration.”
Experts stressed juice should still form part of a balanced diet, warning that excess free sugars may raise the risk of obesity, tooth decay and type 2 diabetes.
