On carrots and curiosity: eating fruit and vegetables is associated with greater flourishing in daily life

(2015) This was a correlational study that aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and our “eudaemonic” state (which is a mental state that relates to happiness and includes feelings of curiosity, creativity, happiness, engagement, and purpose). The study had 405 young adults complete an internet diary for 13 days which recorded their mood (positive or negative), and the amount of fruit, vegetables and less nutrient-dense foods they consumed (i.e., chips and sweets). A significant relationship between eating fruits and vegetables and higher eudaemonic well-being was found. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge that helps us understand the relationship between diet and mental health which is not only created by lack of disease, but also by presence of well-being. [NPID: mood, well-being, fruit, vegetables, FV intake, eudaemonic, happiness, curiosity, creativity, engagement, purpose]

Year: 2015

Reference: Conner, T. S., Brookie, K. L., Richardson, A. C., & Polak, M. A. (2015). On carrots and curiosity: eating fruit and vegetables is associated with greater flourishing in daily life. British journal of health psychology, 20(2), 413–427. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12113