The juice can affect your health(Image: monticelllo via Getty Images)

A team in Newcastle have found that fruit juice could make a significant difference to someone's mental health. A Newcastle University study has shown that when adults who don't eat enough fruit or vegetables were given a glass of fruit juice a day, reported feeling less depressed.

The results of the study have now been published in the British Journal of Nutrition. The study, which was funded by the Fruit Juice Science Centre, focussed on people who had previously had two or fewer portions of fruit or veg - far less than the recommended "5-a-day".

British Journal of Nutrition

They were given support to improve this - and half were also given 100% fruit juice or a smoothie. The trial found that those who had the fruit juice reported feeling less depressed.

Dr Courtney Neal, formerly of Newcastle University but now at Liverpool University, said: "While most people know eating 5-a-day can be good for your health, many people struggle to. Our trial showed that when people with low fruit and vegetable intake were provided with targeted financial and educational support to address common barriers to eating 5-a-day, they were able to make meaningful changes to their diet.

Courtney Neal

"We found that simple, cost-effective solutions, like drinking a small glass of 100% fruit juice or a smoothie daily, could help people reach their 5-a-day, with potential benefits for mental wellbeing."

Colleague Dr Oliver Shannon, lecturer in nutrition and ageing at Newcastle University was a senior author working on the study. He added: "Given the ongoing cost of living pressures in the UK, the price of fresh produce is often a barrier for people trying to eat more fruit and vegetables. Our study shows that drinking a daily glass of fruit juice or a smoothie could be part of the solution and help people reach 5-a-day fruit and vegetable targets.

Dr Oliver Shannon

"The finding that fruit juice drinkers had reduced depression scores is promising and worthy of further exploration, particularly in individuals experiencing poor mental wellbeing. It backs up studies which report improved brain blood flow and cognitive function after people drink citrus juices. Simple dietary changes -- like increasing fruit intake, including through a daily glass of juice -- could play a role in supporting mental wellbeing."

The trial also found that both those with and without fruit juice consumed more fibre than previously, and that, despite concerns about sugar levels, there were no adverse impacts on the "metabolic health markers" of the 42 people to take part.

Fruit Juice Science Centre

The Fruit Juice Science Centre is funded by the the European Fruit Juice Association, which represents the wider fruit juice industry.

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We found that simple, cost-effective solutions, like drinking a small glass of 100% fruit juice or a smoothie daily, could help people reach their 5-a-day, with potential benefits for mental wellbeing.

The wider picture

Drinks trends tend to start in a handful of bars and take years to reach a supermarket shelf. By the time something feels ubiquitous, the people who cared about it first have usually moved on.

The short version

  • A team in Newcastle have found that fruit juice could make a significant difference to someone's mental health
  • The results of the study have now been published in the British Journal of Nutrition
  • Dr Courtney Neal, formerly of Newcastle University but now at Liverpool University, said: "While most people know eating 5-a-day can be good for your health, many people struggle to
  • "We found that simple, cost-effective solutions, like drinking a small glass of 100% fruit juice or a smoothie daily, could help people reach their 5-a-day, with potential benefits for mental wellbeing."
  • Colleague Dr Oliver Shannon, lecturer in nutrition and ageing at Newcastle University was a senior author working on the study

Common questions

What should you know about Fruit Juice Science Centre?

The study, which was funded by the Fruit Juice Science Centre, focussed on people who had previously had two or fewer portions of fruit or veg - far less than the recommended "5-a-day".

Why does it matter?

A team in Newcastle have found that fruit juice could make a significant difference to someone's mental health.

The bottom line

How this plays out on the drinks list will take time to become clear. For now it is a development worth following rather than judging.