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 Conclusion
In a world where so many external factors can impact our sense of well-being, it’s a good idea to do what we can to support a positive mood. A growing body of evidence shows that a healthy fruit and vegetable-rich diet can not only benefit our physical bodies but have wider impacts that can affect our mood too.
References
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2. Ferrer-Cascales R, et al. Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is related to more subjective happiness in adolescents: The role of health-related quality of life. Nutrients. 2019 Mar; 11(3): 698. doi: 10.3390/nu11030698.
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Our diets also nourish the gut microbiome we host within ourselves and the gut microbiome in turn influences our brain via the gut-brain axis. This gives a deeper meaning to the phrase “trust your gut feelings.” After all, it is our second brain.
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9. Silva YP, Bernardi A, Frozza RL. The role of short-chain fatty acids from gut microbiota in gut-brain communication. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Jan; 11: 25. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00025.
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microbiota: Mechanisms of intestinal immunomodulation and neuromodulation. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013 Jan; 6(1): 39-51. doi: 10.1177/1756283X12459294.
11. Probiotics. Cleveland Clinic. Updated Oct 30, 2023. Accessed Jan 4, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14598- probiotics.
12. Khalesi S, et al. A review of probiotic supplementation in healthy adults: helpful or hype? Eur J Clin Nutr. 2019 Jan; 73(1): 24-37. doi: 10.1038/s41430-018-0135-9.
13. An HY, et al. The relationships between physical activity and life satisfaction and happiness among young, middle-aged, and older adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jul. 17(13): 4817. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17134817.
14. Rodriguez-Ayllon M, et al. Role of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the mental health of preschoolers, children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2019 Sep; 49(4): 1383-1410. doi: 10.1007/s40279-019-01099-5.
15. Di Liegro CM, et al. Physical activity and brain health. Genes (Basel). 2019 Sep; 10(9): 720. doi: 10.3390/genes10090720.
16. Dalton A, Mermier C, Zuhl M. Exercise influence on the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Gut Microbes. 2019; 10(5): 555-68. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2018.1562268.
17. Lee SH, et al. Adults meeting fruit and vegetable intake recommendations – United States 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022 Jan; 71(1): 1-9. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7101a1.
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