Even More Benefits of Fruit and Veggies

In case you need another reason to reach for fruits and vegetables when you’re packing your dance bag, new research conducted by the University of Warwick’s Medical School found these foods could be just as good for your mental health as they are for your physical health.

The researchers used data from the Health Survey for England, which collected detailed information on 14,000 participants aged 16 and older on mental and physical health, health-related behaviors and demographics. Thirty-three and a half percent of the participants with high mental well-being ate five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day (compared with 6.8 percent who ate less than one portion). Fruit and vegetable consumption was one of the only health-related behaviors that was consistently linked to mental well-being.

High mental well-being includes feelings of optimism, happiness, self-esteem, resilience and good relationships with others. When you’re in this state, you simply function better in all aspects of life, in and out of the studio.