Eat more fruit to reduce chances of depression when you’re older

There’s never a bad time to start eating more fruit—but it could have special benefits if you’re in your forties

People who start eating fruit in midlife—usually defined as ages 40 to 65 years—are much less likely to suffer from bouts of depression and cognitive problems when they reach older age.

It’s probably down to the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory micronutrients that are found in most fruit, say researchers from the National University of Singapore. They tracked the fruit-eating habits of 13,738 people with an average of 51 at the start of the study, and who reported on any feelings of depression and cognitive problems over the following 20 years.

On average, people who ate at least three servings of fruits every day were 21 percent less likely to suffer depression in older age, the researchers found.

Eating vegetables didn’t combat depressive feelings, although they do have other health benefits.

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