Turns out the perennially peppy Bugs Bunny was onto something. Eating raw fruits and vegies could provide a significant boost to your mental health, report researchers from the University of Otago.
In the study of 422 adults, those who consumed raw produce reported higher levels of psychological wellbeing than people who mostly ate cooked foods.
While the researchers couldn’t point to a causal link that would explain their results, they believe it might be because the array of micronutrients in fruit and vegies are more easily absorbed uncooked.
Cooking and canning produce “would most likely lead to a degradation in nutrients, thereby limiting their beneficial impact on mental health,” the researchers say.
So which fruits and vegies boast the most bang for your mental health buck? Try snacking on carrots, bananas, apples, dark leafy greens, grapefruit, lettuce, citrus fruits, fresh berries, cucumber, kiwi, celery, cabbage, tomato, mushroom and, here’s the tough one, red onion.
