People are at higher risk of anxiety disorders if they eat less fruits and vegetables

Dhwani Vora | Feb 28, 2020, 11:00 IST
Research has it, people who eat less fruits and vegetables don't really have any benefits as they are even more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders.

The study found that the ones who consume less than three sources of veggies and fruits on a daily basis have higher chances of anxiety issues. Says co-author Jose Mora-Almanza, a Mitacs Globalink Intern who worked with the study at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Canada, "This may also partly explain the findings associated with body composition measures. As levels of total body fat increased beyond 36 per cent, the likelihood of anxiety disorder was increased by more than 70 per cent."

The researches say that the increased body fat can be linked to greater inflammation. Research suggests that inflammation can also cause anxiety disorders.

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

The prevalence of anxiety issues also differs in different genders, income, immigrant status, marital status and many more health issues. One in nine women has had anxiety issues as compared to one in fifteen men, says study. The prevalence of anxiety disorders among the ones who have always been singer is much higher than the ones who've lived with a partner.

Study co-author Hongmei Tong, Assistant Professor at MacEwan University in Canada said, "We were not surprised to find that those in poverty had such a high prevalence of anxiety disorders; struggling to afford basics such as food and housing causes relentless stress and is inherently anxiety inducing."
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