A healthy diet improves mood

People who eat lots of fruits and vegetables show a higher level of optimism, reveals American scientists from Harvard University.

Scientists have found that optimists have higher levels of carotenoids in the blood. Carotenoids are compounds with antioxidant action that are found in orange fruits and vegetables, as well as green leafy vegetables.

Study leader Professor. Julia Boehm said that “the results of our study show that optimistic people have a higher level of carotenoids in the blood,” the DailiMail.

The scientists took blood samples from as many as 1,000 men and women aged 25-74 years. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire which consisted of questions about their lifestyle and attitude.

According to the research we should eat at least 3 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Specifically, participants who ate two or fewer servings, showed a lower level of optimism, compared to those who ate three or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Although scientists did not fully clear relationship between carotenoid levels and optimism, point out that it is possible that optimists generally eat more fruits and vegetables than pessimists, so the level of carotenoids in their blood higher.

After they took into account other lifestyle habits (physical activity, smoking, etc.) connection between the levels of carotenoids and optimism was still clear.