Fruit and vegetable intake is inversely associated with perceived stress across the adult lifespan

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Radavelli-Bagatini, Simone;Blekkenhorst, Lauren C.;Sim, Marc;Prince, Richard L.;Bondonno, Nicola P.;Bondonno, Catherine P.;Woodman, Richard;Anokye, Reindolf;Dimmock, James A.;Jackson, Ben;Costello, Leesa;Devine, Amanda;Stanley, Mandy J.;Dickson, Joanne M.;Magliano, Dianna J.;Shaw, Jonathan E.;Daly, Robin M.;Hodgson, Jonathan M.;Lewis, Joshua R.
James Dimmock
Abstract

Background & aims: Poor nutritional habits are linked to higher perceived stress, but the relationship between fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and stress is uncertain. The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between FV intake and perceived stress in a population-based cohort of men and women aged ≥25 years from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) Study. A secondary aim was to investigate the relationship between serum carotenoids, biomarkers of FV intake, and perceived stress. Methods: In Australian men and women, dietary intake was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire in 1999–2000 (n = 8689). Perceived stress was assessed using a validated Perceived Stress Questionnaire [PSQ index values ranging from 0 (lowest) to 1 (highest)]. Serum carotenoids were measured in a subset of participants (n = 1187) using high-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariable-adjusted linear and logistic regression were performed to investigate the associations between FV intake and perceived stress. Results: Mean age of participants was 47.4 (SD 14.1) years (49.8% females). Participants with the highest intakes of FV had 10% lower PSQ index values than those with the lowest intake [Q4: 0.27 ± 0.004 vs. Q1: 0.30 ± 0.004 (mean ± SE), p = 0.004]. Similar associations were found for fruits and vegetables, analysed separately. In subgroup analyses higher FV intake was associated with lower perceived stress in the middle-aged adults [≥45-<65 years (p = 0.004)], but not in the younger (<45 years) and older participants (≥65 years). Higher FV intake was also significantly associated with lower perceived stress in men (p = 0.009) and women (p = 0.012), separately. Serum carotenoid levels were inversely associated with perceived stress before, but not after adjusting for age and other confounding factors. Conclusion: In Australian adults, higher FV intake was associated with lower perceived stress, particularly in the middle-aged adults. These findings support current recommendations that fruit and vegetables are essential for health and well-being.

Journal

Clinical Nutrition

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Volume

40

ISBN/ISSN

1532-1983

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Issue

5

Pages Count

8

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Publisher

Elsevier

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DOI

10.1016/j.clnu.2021.03.043