The kids they eat better and consume more fruits and vegetables they have a daily greater mental well-being than those who do not, according to new research that has been carried out by the University of East Anglia, in the United Kingdom, and published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health.
This is the first study to investigate the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake, breakfast and meal choices and mental well-being in children in the UK.
This research has concluded that the consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with better well-being, especially in high school students.
In addition, the study also states that children who consume five or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day obtain the highest scores in terms of mental well-being.
Once the work is completed, the researchers point out that it is necessary develop public health strategies and school policies to ensure that all children adhere to a healthy and balanced diet, both in school and outside of it, in order to optimize their mental well-being and allow them to develop their full potential.
The importance of nutrition in children
Ailsa Welch, a professor at the UEA School of Medicine in Norwich and lead author of the study, recalls that a poor mental well-being It can be a trouble important to young people, which can trigger long-term negative consequences.
This expert points out that “the importance of mental health and well-being in the first years of life is increasingly recognized, especially since mental health problems in adolescents tend to persist into adulthood, which leads to worse results. in life and achievements ”.
Thus, the team of experts set out to investigate the association between dietary choices and mental well-being among schoolchildren. To do this, he studied data from almost 9,000 children from 50 schools from Norfolk, being 7,570 from secondary school and 1,253 from primary school.
Regarding nutrition, Professor Welch explains that “they found that only a quarter of secondary school children and 28% of primary school children declared eat the five recommended fruits and vegetables a day, and slightly less than one in ten children did not eat any fruit or vegetables ”.
In addition, the same professional specified that “more than one in five secondary school children and one in ten elementary school children did not eat breakfast, and more than one in 10 secondary school children did not eat lunch.”
For his part, Dr. Richard Hayhoe, also from UEA’s Norwich School of Medicine, indicates that the data concluded “that eating well was associated with greater mental well-being in children, and among secondary school children in particular, there was a very strong relationship between the consumption of a nutritious diet, full of fruits and vegetables, and greater mental well-being. “
They also found that “the types of breakfast and lunch eaten by elementary and middle school students were significantly related to well-being.”
Therefore, both experts insist on the importance of “developing public health strategies and school policies to ensure that all children have good quality nutrition, both before and during school.”
These are the best fruits for children
As fruits are essential in the diet of the little ones, it is important to know what are the top in terms of nutrients and ease of eating.
From La Picota del Jerte, a traditional crop linked to the Jerte Valley, the following stand out:
- Apple: it is one of the healthiest fruits, since it has fiber, magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, B, C and E and, in addition, it has diuretic properties.
- Plantain: it is one of the easiest fruits to eat, which can be started after six months. In addition, the banana is rich in vitamins B and C, folic acid, fiber and known for its great potassium content.
- Cherries: cherry is one of the healthiest fruits, as it is rich in antioxidants and contains less sugar than others. In addition, it has hydrating and diuretic properties, as well as cleansing and laxative capabilities. In the case of very young children, it is important to remove the bone.
- Pineapple: pineapple is low in fat and favors the intestinal tract. In addition, it contains a large amount of water and vitamin C, as well as minerals and folic acid, so it cannot be missing in the diet of the little ones.
- Kiwi: it has a high content of vitamin C, so it prevents colds and helps defenses. In addition, it fights constipation in children and babies and contains essential minerals such as potassium.
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