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Consuming lots of flavonoid-rich foods is linked with feeling happy and optimistic
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Abstract
An analysis of Nurses’ Health Study data published in Clinical Nutrition found that nurses who consume more flavonoid-rich foods and beverages have a slightly higher likelihood (3-6% higher) of being sustainably happy and optimistic. Consumption of specific types of flavonoid-rich foods (strawberries, apples, oranges, grapefruit, blueberries) was associated with a 3-16% greater likelihood of sustained psychological well-being (Thompson et al., 2026).
What is psychological well-being?
Psychological well-being is an overarching concept in psychological research that encompasses feelings of happiness, life satisfaction, a sense of purpose, and optimism. People experiencing sustained psychological well-being tend to be happy, optimistic, satisfied with their lives, and see their lives as meaningful (Trudel-Fitzgerald, Millstein, et al., 2019).
While it might seem intuitive that feeling happy, optimistic, and finding life meaningful might contribute to one’s health, studies indicate that the influence might go both ways. Healthier behaviors may also lead to higher psychological well-being. For example, a large longitudinal study that followed participants for 10–22 years found that people who led healthier lifestyles tended to experience greater happiness and optimism in the future (Trudel-Fitzgerald, James, et al., 2019).
High psychological well-being has been associated with numerous health benefits, including lower risks of chronic disease and mortality, as well as greater healthspan,” Alysha S. Thompson and her colleagues explain.
Psychological well-being and diet
One important category of health-related behaviors scientists explore in relation to psychological well-being is dietary intake. It has long been known that if key nutrients are missing from one’s diet, health is greatly diminished.
But is psychological well-being also affected by more subtle differences in dietary patterns? It appears so. Previous studies have established that conditions like depression are more likely in individuals consuming high amounts of added sugar (Zhang et al., 2024), and that junk food consumption is associated with worse mental health (Ejtahed et al., 2024). On the other hand, people adhering to healthy diets tend to have better mental health, mood, and quality of life (Camprodon-Boadas et al., 2024; Timlin et al., 2025).
Previous studies have already established that health conditions like depression are more likely in individuals consuming lots of foods with added sugar (Zhang et al., 2024).
Dietary flavonoids and psychological well-being
In a study conducted by Alysha S. Thompson from Queen’s University Belfast and her colleagues, results showed that nurses who eat three or more servings of flavonoid-rich foods per day tend to have better sustained psychological well-being. Over a period of up to 18 years, higher flavonoid intake was associated with higher initial levels of psychological well-being (Thompson et al., 2026).
What are flavonoids? Sources and biological properties?
Flavonoids are a group of naturally occurring plant compounds (polyphenols) known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are found in a wide variety of plant-based foods, including berries, apples, citrus fruits, onions, leafy greens, tea, dark chocolate, legumes, and whole grains.
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Key findings: Flavonoid intake and sustained happiness
The analyses presented by Dr. Thompson and her colleagues used data from the Nurses’ Health Study. This is a longitudinal study that began in 1976, initially enrolling 121,700 female registered nurses aged 30-55. Since its inception, the study has measured participants’ lifestyle factors, medical history, and health conditions via questionnaires mailed to participants every two years. This particular set of analyses used data collected between 1990 and 2012. Flavonoid intake measured in 1990 in 44,659 nurses was analyzed in relation to sustained happiness between 1992 and 2000, while intake measured in 2002 in 36,723 nurses was analyzed in relation to sustained optimism between 2004 and 2012.
Specific foods linked to higher psychological well-being
The analyses found that higher flavonoid intake scores were associated with a 3–6% higher likelihood of sustained happiness and optimism. Specific foods such as strawberries, apples, oranges, grapefruit, and blueberries were associated with a 3–16% higher likelihood of sustained psychological well-being. Total flavonoid intake was associated with a 2–18% increase.
Interestingly, the link between higher flavonoid intake and optimism was somewhat stronger among women who were overweight or obese. The link was present in the other temporal direction as well – nurses with higher baseline levels of happiness or optimism were more likely to sustain a diet with higher flavonoid intake (see Figure 1).
Thompson and colleagues state, “Our data suggest that a higher flavonoid score… is associated with a higher likelihood of sustaining high levels of happiness and optimism over a 10-year follow-up period.”
The associations were primarily driven by flavonoid-rich fruits such as strawberries, apples, oranges, grapefruit, and blueberries, which were associated with both sustained high levels of happiness and/or optimism, the study authors conclude. “Moreover, bidirectional analyses suggest that psychological well-being itself may influence subsequent flavonoid intake, as women with moderate or higher levels of happiness and optimism, respectively, were more likely to sustain greater flavonoid intakes over up to 18 years.”
Thompson et al. (2026) further state, “Conversely, psychological distress may undermine flavonoid-rich dietary patterns by reducing motivation, increasing preference for energy-dense comfort foods, and impairing dietary self-regulation, all of which could lead to lower consumption of fruits and other flavonoid-rich foods.” (see Figure 2).
Strength and importance of findings
While this analysis confirmed associations between dietary flavonoid intake and indicators of psychological well-being, the observed associations were very weak. They were only detectable because the study sample included tens of thousands of nurses. This means that the findings are of limited practical importance. It should also be noted that all participants in the study are female health professionals, individuals with generally much higher health awareness than the general population. This substantially limits the generalizability of the findings.
The paper “Dietary flavonoid intake and psychological well-being — A bidirectional relationship” was authored by Alysha S. Thompson and colleagues.
To learn more about the connection between nutrition and psychological well-being, enroll in NP 110: Introduction to Nutritional Psychology Methods and explore the Diet, Mood & Well-Being research category
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are flavonoids and where are they found?
Flavonoids are naturally occurring plant compounds, also known as polyphenols, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are found in foods such as berries, apples, citrus fruits, onions, leafy greens, tea, dark chocolate, legumes, and whole grains.
Is flavonoid intake linked to happiness and optimism?
Yes. In this analysis of Nurses’ Health Study data, higher flavonoid intake was associated with a slightly higher likelihood of sustained happiness and optimism over time. The observed associations were modest.
Which flavonoid-rich foods were associated with greater psychological well-being?
Specific flavonoid-rich foods associated with a greater likelihood of sustained psychological well-being included strawberries, apples, oranges, grapefruit, and blueberries.
Can psychological well-being influence dietary habits too?
Yes. The study also found evidence of a bidirectional relationship, meaning that individuals with higher baseline happiness or optimism were more likely to maintain higher flavonoid intake over time.
Were the effects of flavonoids on psychological well-being strong?
No. The article notes that the associations were very weak and only detectable because of the large sample size. This limits their practical significance and means the findings should be interpreted cautiously.
References
Camprodon-Boadas, P., Gil-Dominguez, A., De La Serna, E., Sugranyes, G., Lázaro, I., & Baeza, I. (2024). Mediterranean Diet and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Nutrition Reviews, nuae053. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuae053
Ejtahed, H.-S., Mardi, P., Hejrani, B., Mahdavi, F. S., Ghoreshi, B., Gohari, K., Heidari-Beni, M., & Qorbani, M. (2024). Association between junk food consumption and mental health problems in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1), 438. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05889-8
Thompson, A. S., Bondonno, N. P., Liu, Y. L., Qureshi, F., Kubzansky, L. D., Trudel-Fitzgerald, C., Boehm, J. K., Rimm, E. B., & Cassidy, A. (2026). Dietary flavonoid intake and psychological well-being – A bidirectional relationship. Clinical Nutrition, 58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2026.106579
Timlin, D., McCormack, J. M., Kerr, M., Keaver, L., & Simpson, E. E. A. (2025). The MIND diet, cognitive function, and well-being among healthy adults at midlife: A randomised feasibility trial. BMC Nutrition, 11(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01020-6
Trudel-Fitzgerald, C., James, P., Kim, E. S., Zevon, E. S., Grodstein, F., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2019). Prospective associations of happiness and optimism with lifestyle over up to two decades. Preventive Medicine, 126, 105754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105754
Trudel-Fitzgerald, C., Millstein, R. A., von Hippel, C., Howe, C. J., Tomasso, L. P., Wagner, G. R., & VanderWeele, T. J. (2019). Psychological well-being as part of the public health debate? Insight into dimensions, interventions, and policy. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1712. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-8029-x
Zhang, L., Sun, H., Liu, Z., Yang, J., & Liu, Y. (2024). Association between dietary sugar intake and depression in US adults: A cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2018. BMC Psychiatry, 24(110), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05531-7
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