According to a study by the University of East Anglia, adding rich fruits and vegetables
to kids’ diets can help improve their mental aptitude and wellbeing.

The study was jointly led by
the University of East Anglia (UEA) Health and Social Care Partners and Norfolk
County Council. It was published in the journal ‘BMJ Nutrition Prevention and
Health’.

The study analysed vegetable and
fruit intake in daily diets of UK school children. The findings of the study revealed the link between wellbeing and a child’s fruit and vegetable intake. The study mainly focused
on primary and secondary schoolers.

Those who consumed an intake of over five or more portions
per day had the highest rating in mental wellbeing. Researchers stated that school authorities must ensure nutritious
meals for students during lunch hours to accelerate mental strength.

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Professor
Ailsa Welch, the lead researcher of the study said, “We know that poor
mental wellbeing is a major issue for young people and is likely to have
long-term negative consequences.”

The team of researchers took a
sample size of around 9,000 students from 50 schools across the English county
of Norfolk. A survey was conducted to study the relation between food intake
and mental aptitude.

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Survey respondents reported their dietary styles
and choices and participated in tests that assessed mental wellbeing factors
such as relaxation, cheerfulness, and interpersonal skills.

According
to Welch, 28% of primary schoolers and a quarter of secondary school students reported
consuming sufficient intake of fruits and vegetables.

Researcher
and Dr Richard Hayhoe stated, “Children who ate a traditional breakfast
experienced better wellbeing than those who only had a snack or drink. But
secondary school children who drank energy drinks for breakfast had
particularly low mental wellbeing scores, even lower than for those children
consuming no breakfast at all.”

The research
also took factors like childhood situations and homely life into consideration.