Beat the blues
Polyphenols from fruit, veg and chocolate help
Links between depression and disease are well established in adults. Depression is often observed in people with vascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, circulatory disorders and heart disease. This study looked at the effects of polyphenols on mental health status in 99 adults aged 40-65 with mild high blood pressure. Polyphenols are health-promoting compounds found in fruit, vegetables, tea, coffee, red wine, fruit juice, seeds, nuts and dark chocolate. Results showed those who ate six portions of fruit and veg (including berries) and some dark chocolate every day for eight weeks had fewer depressive symptoms and better general mental and physical health compared to those who ate two or less portions of fruit and veg and no chocolate.
Kontogianni MD, Vijayakumar A, Rooney C et al. 2020. A high polyphenol diet improves psychological well-being: the polyphenol intervention trial (PPhIT). Nutrients. 12 (8) 2445.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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