If you’re feeling down or low on energy, consider adding some kiwifruit to your daily meals, as recent studies suggest that just two kiwifruits a day can boost your happiness, vitality, and mental health. Not only are they packed with fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K, but kiwifruit is also a delicious way to enhance your mood while nourishing your body, making it a win-win situation.
Kiwifruit is rich in vitamin C, which is known for its numerous health benefits, such as reducing oxidative stress, boosting immunity, and lowering inflammation. While we know a lot about its physical health advantages, research is still exploring how vitamin C impacts mental health, with some studies indicating it can enhance mood and cognitive performance, while others show mixed results.
To delve deeper into this topic, a randomized controlled trial was conducted by researchers from New Zealand and the UK, involving 167 young adults aged between 18 and 35. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: one group consumed two kiwifruits daily for about a month, the second group took a daily 250 mg vitamin C tablet for the same period, and the third group was given a placebo tablet daily. Researchers regularly assessed participants’ mood, vitality, and mental well-being at baseline and again on days four, eight, and twelve after the intervention.
Published findings in the journal Supplements revealed that the kiwifruit group experienced significantly improved mood and vitality compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, the kiwifruit group showed greater positive mental health indicators, like purpose in life, optimism, and social support, while the vitamin C group reported only minor mood improvements by day twelve, showing no changes in vitality or overall well-being.
Kiwifruit’s mood-boosting effects may stem from more than just its vitamin C content, as it also contains other beneficial nutrients like fiber, folate, potassium, and various antioxidants that could contribute to its mood-enhancing properties. Additionally, the simple act of enjoying a fresh, delicious fruit can be a rewarding experience that uplifts your spirits.
Despite its promising findings, the study does have limitations, including a small sample size, a short duration, and the absence of objective measurements for mood and well-being. Nevertheless, kiwifruit could be an easy and natural way to elevate your energy and mood, especially during tough or stressful times.
More extensive and diverse studies with longer intervention periods and impartial mood assessments are necessary to confirm these initial findings. Despite these limitations, the potential benefits of incorporating kiwifruit into your diet for improved mood are exciting and warrant further research. For now, consider adding kiwifruit to your well-balanced diet as a delicious way to support your mental health.
Next time you’re feeling down or drained, why not grab a kiwifruit and relish its sweet and tangy flavor? You might be pleasantly surprised by how much better you feel. Besides being a delightful treat, kiwifruits are rich in vital nutrients that can enhance both your mood and energy levels, making their vibrant green color and succulent flesh a perfect pick-me-up.
Related posts:
A kiwifruit a day can keep bad mood away? | Mint Lounge
Mental Health Boosted in Just Days by Eating Kiwifruit – Newsweek
Why Eating Kiwi May Improve Your Well-being – Verywell Health