NZ research links kiwifruit to mood

The path to happiness may travel via an unexpected stopover: the fruit bowl. Researchers at the University of Otago, Christchurch, (UOC) have found that eating two kiwifruit each day can improve mood and boost energy.

Over a six-week period, 54 healthy young males ate either two kiwifruit a day or half a kiwifruit daily and were then assessed on their mood and energy levels. The subjects generally ate little fresh fruit and had lower-than-desirable vitamin C levels as a result.

Those on the two-kiwifruit dose reported significantly less fatigue and depression than those in the other group. They also felt they had more energy. The researchers have suggested that the changes could be related to the optimising of vitamin C intake with the two-kiwifruit dose.

“The two kiwifruit per day ensured that the study group’s vitamin C levels were optimal, and this was needed to see an effect on mood and energy,” said Professor Margreet Vissers, whose team at UOC’s Centre for Free Radical Research carried out the research as part of a larger study.

“The amount of vitamin C required for this is higher than the current recommended intake. Our study provides good evidence to support the view that there are measurable health benefits to be obtained from eating a good amount of fruit and vegetables daily.

“For best benefit, it is important to include high vitamin C foods in your daily diet.”

Vitamin C helps activate a number of enzymes in the body that enhance the levels of metabolic energy and different neurochemicals in the brain, Professor Vissers says. This means taking in more vitamin C could decrease feelings of fatigue and increase physical and mental energy.

The findings were published in the Journal of Nutritional Science.