People who get carotenoids in their body tend to be more optimistic about the future, scientists say.
High blood levels of antioxidants can be a marker of good health. Antioxidants inhibit the production of free radicals, the danger of which is that they can damage cells and contribute to the development of diseases. Carotenoids, including beta-carotene, pigment, found in large quantities in orange and some green vegetables, such as spinach and cabbage, are antioxidants.
The new study examined the blood concentration of nine different antioxidants, including carotenoids, in nearly 1,000 American men and women aged 25 to 74 years. Asking the participants to answer the questionnaire regarding their attitude to life, the scientists assessed the degree of optimism among these people.
The researchers found that the more optimistic people had a 13% higher carotenoid concentration in the blood than the less optimistic people in the study. Researchers believe that at least partially explain the results obtained by a higher level of consumption of fruits and vegetables. People who ate only two or less servings of fruits and vegetables per day were significantly less optimistic than people accustomed to eating three or more servings of plant foods per day.
Scientists also do not exclude the fact that more optimistic people tend to lead a healthy lifestyle, including eating fruits and vegetables and avoiding smoking.
The American Heart Association believes that most adults should eat 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables of different colors every day. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce the likelihood of developing cancer and other chronic diseases. And this is reason enough to look at life with optimism.
