This is the first study to reveal a causal relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption, exercise, and happiness, rather than a general association as is often the case.
The research, led by the University of Kent and the University of Reading (England) has concluded that the consumption of fruits and vegetables and exercise can increase the levels of happiness. The findings, published by the Journal of Happiness Studies , show that there is also a positive causality from lifestyle to life satisfaction.
The researchers used an instrumental variable approach to filter out any effects from happiness to lifestyle. He showed that it is rather the consumption of fruits and vegetables and exercise that make people happy and not the other way around. Thus, the ability to delay gratification and apply self-control in our day-to-day lives play an important role in influencing lifestyle decisions, which in turn has a positive impact on our well-being.
“Behavioral nudges that help our planner reinforce long-term goals are likely to be especially helpful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If a better lifestyle not only makes us healthier but also happier, then it is a clear win-win situation ”, clarifies Adelina Gschwandtner, leader of the work.
“There has been a bigger shift in recent years towards healthier lifestyle choices. Establishing that eating more fruits and vegetables and exercising can increase happiness and offer health benefits is an important advance. This can also be useful for political campaigns around the environment and sustainability ”, concludes the expert.
Male / female differences
The study found that men seem to exercise more and women eat more fruits and vegetables.
Referencia: Gschwandtner, A., Jewell, S. & Kambhampati, U.S. Lifestyle and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Delayed Gratification. J Happiness Stud (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00440-y
