Happiness of the oldest-old men is associated with fruit and vegetable intakes

Positive emotions and happiness may improve health and prolong life. Diet quality, Mediterranean dietary pattern, fruit and vegetable, chocolate, and fish consumption have been linked to positive affect, improved mood, and reduced risk of depression. We examined the associations between diet, nutrition, and perceived happiness in the oldest-old men.

The participants in this cross-sectional analysis were the oldest-old, home-dwelling men (n = 338, mean age 88 years, range 82-97 years) from the longitudinal Helsinki Businessmen Study cohort. In 2016, a postal health and nutrition survey was performed. Happiness was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale of Happiness (0-100 mm). The nutrition survey included a 3-day food diary, Mediterranean Diet Adherence score, and Index of Diet Quality designed to measure adherence to Finnish dietary recommendations. The participants were divided into quartiles according to happiness scores, and diet quality scores, food intakes, and other indicators were compared between the happiness quartiles.

Happiness was linearly associated with total fruit and vegetable intakes (p = 0.002) and inversely associated with age (p = 0.016), blood glucose levels (p = 0.049), skipping lunch (p = 0.023), reduced food intake (p = 0.002), and weight loss (p = 0.016).

Fruit and vegetable intakes indicated happiness in the oldest-old men while reduced food intakes and weight loss were inversely associated with happiness. Maintaining good nutrition and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption may be important for psychological health of older people.