Eating more fruit at midlife may help ward off later-life depression
Research we're watching
- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Eating more fruit during middle age may lower the likelihood of depressive symptoms later in life, according to an analysis published in the June 2024 issue of the Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging.
The study involved nearly 14,000 people ages 45 to 74 (average age 52, 58% women) from the Singapore Chinese Health Study. At the study's start, participants answered a questionnaire about how frequently they consumed standard servings of 14 fruits and 25 vegetables. Among the fruits were oranges, tangerines, bananas, papayas, watermelon, and apples.
Two decades later, when participants' average age was 73, they took a standard depression assessment. About 23% had scores consistent with depression symptoms. Researchers found that participants who'd earlier said they consumed at least three servings of fruit each day were 21% less likely to have depression symptoms later in life compared with participants who'd reported eating less than one serving of fruit daily. Vegetable consumption at midlife didn't appear to be associated with depression risk later. The study was observational, meaning it couldn't prove that eating more fruit prevented depression, only that an association exists.
Image: © Farknot_Architect/Getty Images
About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
