India, Aug. 11 -- People who drink a glass of 100% fruit juice or a smoothie each day as part of the UK's 5-a-day healthy eating guidance may experience improvements in mental wellbeing, according to new research from Newcastle University.

In a randomised controlled trial, adults with low fruit and vegetable intake were given support to increase their daily consumption, with some participants adding a glass of fruit juice or a smoothie to their diet to help meet the 5-a-day recommendation.

After four weeks, both groups had successfully increased their fruit and vegetable intake. However, participants who included fruit juice or smoothies in their diet reported a reduction in depression scores.

Dr Courtney Neal, who completed the study ...