Discover the fruit capable of helping to improve mood and mental health

New research from the University of Otago in New Zealand has revealed that kiwi is a powerful fruit that can have a significant impact on vitality, mood and overall mental health.

The study involved an 8-week intervention with 155 adults who had low levels of vitamin C. Researchers compared the effects of vitamin C supplements, placebo and kiwifruit.

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The results showed that kiwi improves mood and vitality in just four days, with a peak effect between 14 and 16 days.

Additionally, the study suggests that whole foods like kiwi have synergistic effects on mental health, surpassing those of vitamin C supplements.

Study details:

• Participants received a daily vitamin C supplement, a placebo or two kiwi fruits.
• They reported their vitality, mood, sleep quality, sleep quantity, and physical activity through smartphone surveys.
• Kiwi supplementation improved vitality and mood within four days, peaking between 14 and 16 days. Vitamin C, on the other hand, had a marginal effect on mood until day 12.

How does kiwi improve mental health?

The vitamin C present in kiwi has a direct effect on the brain, stimulating the production of hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. These hormones play a key role in improving mood and cognitive function. Additionally, vitamin C contributes to stress reduction by lowering cortisol levels, a hormone associated with the stress response.

Benefits of kiwi:

• Source of essential nutrients: Kiwi is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, potassium and fiber, playing vital roles in health, from strengthening the immune system to promoting digestive health.
• Antioxidants: Kiwi contains antioxidants such as vitamin C, flavonoids and carotenoids, which fight damage caused by free radicals in the body, slowing aging and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
• Digestive health: The impressive amount of fiber in kiwi helps prevent constipation and maintain bowel regularity. The enzyme actinidin facilitates the digestion of proteins.
• Eye health: The carotenoids present in kiwi, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, are crucial for eye health, protecting against macular degeneration and other age-related eye problems.
• Benefits for the skin: The vitamin C in kiwi is essential for collagen production, keeping skin healthy, firm and radiant. Antioxidants also protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays, delaying the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes.