Want to turn your half-empty glass into one that’s half full and improve your mood? Fill it up with carrots and tomatoes. According to a new study in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, optimists eat more carotenoids—the antioxidants that produce bright pigments in certain fruits and vegetables—than people with a negative attitude. Researchers analyzed the blood levels of 982 study participants, looking for antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamin E. The researchers also asked the participants to report how optimistic they were. The results: People who were more optimistic about their future had up to 13% higher carotenoid concentrations compared to more negative types. In fact, 67% of highly optimistic people ate at least three servings of produce per day. But this isn’t necessarily a cause and effect: It could simply be that optimistic people have healthier habits (like eating more vegetables and smoking less), and are also better equipped to deal with challenges and manage stress. “Optimists tend to persist at their goals and use effective coping strategies, all of which may contribute to the fact that they tend to eat more fruits and vegetables,” says study co-author Julia Boehm, PhD, of the Harvard School of Public Health. Researchers also speculate that psychological wellbeing may somehow encourage better antioxidant absorption in the body. And even if the link is just a correlation, there’s no disputing the benefits of antioxidants like carotenoids: They neutralize free radicals, which are molecules that damage cells, contribute to inflammation, and are associated with diseases like cancer and diabetes. The bottom line: Consider a healthier attitude one more reason to bone up on produce. But be sure to skip the supplement and get carotenoids from fruits and vegetables instead (including carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon, kale, and cantaloupe), as some studies show that high doses may increase cancer risk. More from Prevention: 14 Ways To Make Veggies Less Boring Questions? Comments? Contact Prevention’s News Team!
