Oh, yes, here we go again. Another “scientific” article that missed the boat between correlation and causation. And, in this case, it’s bass ackwards!
Tamlin Conner, Kate Brookie, Aimee Richardson, and Maria Polak (all of University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand) published the results of their [limited] study in the British Journal of Health Psychology. The title, “On carrots and curiosity: Eating fruit and vegetables is associated with greater flourishing in daily life”, should tell you a lot.
So, the researchers performed an internet study of 405 young adults (average age 19.9, all studying in college), of which 67% were women. The internet questionnaire covered their daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, and junk food. It also examined their feelings of well-being, curiosity, creativity, and positive and negative affects. And, the study lasted all of 13 days.
Not surprisingly those that ate more fruits and vegetables had higher feelings of well-being, curiosity, etc. And, if thy lapsed and ate more chips and junk food, this feelings dissipated. The researchers postulated that fruits and vegetables have higher levels of vitamin C, which may help the body produce dopamine. And, since dopamine regulates our feelings of well-being and affect, that’s why they felt more chipper. The anti-oxidants that are present in these foods may also contribute to those same feelings.
Interestingly, those folks that consumed more sweets were associated with greater curiosity and feelings of well-being.
But, here’s the key factor. What happens if those that generally have feelings of well-being, are curious, care a lot about their attitudes have already self-selected the diet studied herein? We all know those kinds of folks, those that are careful with their lives, trying to live healthy, and select those foods thinking that insures the results.
Which comes first- the chicken or the egg?
That’s the problem with this very, very, very short study. It’s interesting- but proves little, if anything.
(Don’t even think that I am suggesting to NOT eat the requisite allotment of fruits and vegetables. I do- and enjoy my wine, as well….)
I’m one person who tries to diligently eat her fruits in the morning so I like this post. There really is a difference in eating fruits or veggies. It’s an instant detox. Hope to read more of stuff like this soon.
Lux recently posted..Don’t Fall In Love
Well, Lux, I think you should eat them all day long- not just in the morning.
And, when something else turns up, you can bet I will share.
Thanks for the visit and the comment.