People who eat less fruit, vegetable more prone to anxiety

TORONTO: People who have low fruit and vegetable intakes have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, say researchers.

The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that those who consumed less than three sources of fruits and vegetables daily, there was at least 24 percent higher odds of anxiety disorder diagnosis.

“This may also partly explain the findings associated with body composition measures. As levels of total body fat increased beyond 36 percent, the likelihood of anxiety disorder was increased by more than 70 percent,” said co-author Jose Mora-Almanza, a Mitacs Globalink intern who worked with the study at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Canada.

According to the researchers, increased body fat may be linked to greater inflammation. Emerging research suggests that some anxiety disorders can be linked to inflammation.

“Our findings are in keeping with previous research which has also indicated that women are more vulnerable to anxiety disorders than men,” said study co-author Karen Kobayashi.

(With inputs from agencies)