Researchers at Newcastle University have found that adding a glass of 100% fruit juice to your daily diet can help you meet nutritional guidelines and reduce symptoms of depression, reports infohub.kz.
The British researchers conducted a four-week randomized trial involving 42 adults. The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, aimed to assess the impact of 100% fruit juice and smoothies on psychological well-being while adhering to the national "5-a-day" program.
Volunteers who previously consumed no more than two portions of fruits and vegetables per day took part in the experiment. Participants were divided into three groups: a control group and two experimental groups that received financial and educational support. One group increased their intake exclusively with whole fruits, while the second added one glass of juice or smoothie per day.
According to the PHQ-9 scale, the group that drank juice showed a reduction in depression scores by 2.52 points compared to the control group. Daily fiber intake increased by 8-10 grams, and metabolic markers did not worsen.