A study by researchers from the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Uppsala University, and Karolinska Institutet found that higher dietary β-carotene intake is associated with better mental health in Swedish adolescents. Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, the study shows that more β-carotene relates to lower anxiety, fewer psychosomatic symptoms, and improved quality of life.
Mental Health and Diet in Adolescents
Mental health disorders affect many adolescents, with about half of adult mental illnesses starting by age 14. In Sweden, psychosomatic complaints—physical symptoms worsened by psychological distress—have nearly doubled since 1985. Diet is an important factor influencing mental health, but the relationship is complex and two-way.
Study Overview
The study included 1,139 Swedish adolescents aged 13–14. Dietary intake was recorded using a web-based recall method, and mental health was assessed through self-reported anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, and quality of life scales. Researchers focused on antioxidants β-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E due to their roles in reducing oxidative stress.
Main Findings
Adolescents with the highest β-carotene intake had significantly lower anxiety, fewer psychosomatic symptoms, and better quality of life.
- Higher vitamin C intake was linked to fewer psychosomatic symptoms but not anxiety or quality of life.
- Vitamin E showed no significant association with mental health outcomes.
- Some gender differences appeared, but most were not significant.
Significance and Limitations
The study suggests that β-carotene, found in fruits and vegetables, may protect mental health through its antioxidant effects. Vitamin C may help reduce physical symptoms of psychological distress. Limitations include self-reported data, lack of blood measurements, and the study’s cross-sectional design, which cannot prove causation.
Conclusion
Increasing β-carotene and vitamin C intake through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help improve mental health in adolescents. More research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the long-term effects.
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