An extra daily fruit serving linked to lower depression and anxiety risk in teenagers

A four-year University of Sydney study found that one additional portion of fruit a day was associated with lower risks of depression and anxiety symptoms, while sugary drinks were linked to greater risk.

Eating an extra portion of fruit each day may help lower the chances of depression and anxiety symptoms in teenagers, according to research from the University of Sydney. The study followed 6,537 adolescents from 71 secondary schools in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia over four years, beginning when they were about 12 and a half years old on average. Researchers found that one additional daily serving of fruit was linked with a 13% lower risk of depression symptoms and a 7% lower risk of anxiety symptoms.

The findings, published in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, add to a growing body of evidence that diet can influence mental wellbeing during adolescence. The University of Sydney said the teenagers in the study ate, on average, between two and 2.5 servings of fruit a day during the research period. The analysis excluded young people who already showed elevated depression or anxiety symptoms at the outset and took account of factors including physical activity, age, sex and socioeconomic background.

By contrast, greater intake of sugar-sweetened drinks, including soft drinks, cordials and sports drinks, was associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety. The association appeared in both boys and girls, but it was stronger among boys, particularly for anxiety. That pattern fits with other research in the field: studies published elsewhere have also linked sugar-sweetened beverages with higher anxiety and poorer mental health in adolescents, while longer-term research has suggested that fruit and vegetable intake during the teen years may carry benefits later in life.

The researchers called for wider efforts to make nutritious food more affordable and accessible, while also reducing young people’s exposure to sugary drinks. For parents and carers, the message is straightforward: small daily dietary changes, such as adding fruit and cutting back on sugary drinks, may be one practical part of supporting adolescent mental health.