People who frequently eat fruit are more likely to report greater positive mental wellbeing and are less likely to report symptoms of depression than those who do not, according to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. On the other hand, people who eat savoury snacks such as crisps, which are low in nutrients, are more likely to report greater levels of anxiety, said researchers from Aston University in the UK.

Published in the British Journal of Nutrition, the study surveyed 428 adults from across the UK and looked at the relationship between their consumption of fruit, vegetables, sweet and savoury food snacks, and their psychological health. The results showed that both nutrient-rich fruit and nutrient-poor savoury snacks appeared to be linked to psychological health. But no direct association was found between eating vegetables and psychological health.