Eating more fruit, vegetables, and fish linked to greater well-being in older age

Older adults who eat more fruit, vegetables, and fish report higher levels of happiness and sense of purpose, according to new research using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA).

A study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology analysed data from over 3,000 people aged 50 and older. Researchers looked at whether diet is linked not only to reduced risk of poor mental health, but also to increased positive psychological well-being, such as happiness, life satisfaction, and having a sense of meaning in life.

They found that eating more fruit and vegetables was consistently linked to a stronger sense of purpose and control in life, also known as eudemonic well-being. Eating fish was associated with greater happiness, even when accounting for health, wealth and depressive symptoms.

Polyunsaturated fats, found in foods such as nuts, seeds and oily fish, also showed associations with well-being, although these were weaker once depressive symptoms and other factors were considered.

While some associations weakened when adjusting for long-term illness, social isolation and other factors, the results suggest that diet may help support psychological well-being in later life.

Most older adults in England consume fewer than the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables daily and two portions of fish weekly. The findings point to the possibility that improving access to healthy diets might help people not only live longer but also feel better as they age.

Researchers urge policymakers to consider supporting greater consumption of fruit, vegetables, and fish through measures that make healthy diets more accessible and affordable, particularly for people on lower incomes or at risk of social isolation.

Also featured in The Mirror: Three everyday foods could make you happier in later life

Theeraoat, P. T., Hackett, R. A., Chilcot, J., & Steptoe, A. (2025). Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, polyunsaturated fats, and fish and positive psychological well-being in older adults: A cross-sectional analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). British Journal of Health Psychology, 30, e70022. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.70022