Kiwis can significantly boost your mood in just 4 days

DUNEDIN, New Zealand — Imagine discovering a simple, delicious way to enhance your mood, energy, and overall well-being. Recent research leveraging the power of technology and natural nutrition has uncovered just that. Kiwifruit has been identified as a potent mood enhancer, capable of providing a significant uplift in spirits within just four days, according to recent research. This soft, green fruit stands out for its high vitamin C content, previously linked to enhanced mood, vitality, well-being, and reduced depression symptoms.

Researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand aimed to determine the speed of mood improvement following the consumption of vitamin C supplements or whole food sources like kiwi. In an eight-week study involving 155 adults with low vitamin C levels, participants were divided into groups receiving either a vitamin C supplement, a placebo, or two kiwi fruits daily. They then reported on various aspects of their well-being through smartphone surveys.

Kiwifruit swiftly improved participants’ vitality and mood, with noticeable effects within just four days, peaking around two weeks. Vitamin C tablets also had a positive impact, albeit more modestly. This points to the potential of kiwifruit, rich in vitamin C and other nutrients, to serve as a powerful ally in enhancing mental well-being.

“It’s great for people to know that small changes in their diet, like adding kiwifruit, could make a difference in how they feel every day,” says co-author Professor Tamlin Conner, of the Department of Psychology, in a university release.

“The use of intensive smartphone surveys offers a real-time understanding of the day-to-day changes in mood-related outcomes.”

Kiwifruit isn’t just about vitamin C; it’s a package of multiple nutrients that collectively contribute to its mood-boosting effects. The study suggests that the combination of vitamin C, dietary fiber, folate, and other compounds in kiwifruit plays a role in its efficacy in improving mood and vitality.

The authors also note that, although the vitamin C tablets did make some mood improvements, vitamin C-rich foods are much more beneficial.

“This helps us see that what we eat can have a relatively fast impact on how we feel,” says lead author Dr. Ben Fletcher. “Our participants had relatively good mental health to begin with so had little room for improvement, but still reported the benefits of kiwifruit or vitamin C interventions.”

“We encourage a holistic approach to nutrition and well-being, incorporating various nutrient-rich foods into your diet,” Dr. Fletcher concludes.

The findings are published in The British Journal of Nutrition.