I just read about a study that showed that being in nature improves nutrition. I mean, I’m super not shocked that you are healthier if you head outside in daylight and fresh air. I know that being around plants is also great because there have been lots of studies into that forest bathing practice that is so awesome in Japan. Still, the fact that it affects food in some way definitely caught my attention. Could going for a nature hike break my obsession with cupcakes? …no tree is that powerful!
How Nature Improves Nutrition
To begin, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. The research was published in the American Journal of Health Promotion. It was conducted by a transdisciplinary research team at Drexel University. The idea was to dive into the recommendations Canadian doctors made by “prescribing nature” in late 2020. The doctors in our neighboring country to the north were making this recommendation because of research showing that people who spent a minimum of 2 hours per week in natural surroundings experienced better health and wellbeing.
That said, the Drexel University researchers wanted to look more closely into this relationship. Then, they published those benefits of feeling connected with the natural world and how nature improves nutrition so that the rest of us can learn about it.
Exposure to the Natural World Improves Overall Wellness
What the researchers examined was the association that was already known to exist between spending time in the natural world and experiencing improved psychological, cognitive and physical health. It also boosts environmental stewardship, for that matter (which, I confess, I had to look up. It means you care more about the environment and want to protect it).
That said, what I found very interesting – and I’m sure the researchers did too – was that those people who spent more time outside were also likely to make smarter dietary choices. Being in nature improves nutrition because it somehow makes you want to eat more fruits and vegetables! Seriously! Not kidding!
Yes, Nature Improves Nutrition…Naturally!
There were more than 300 adults from Philadelphia who participated in this study. They self-reported their natural connection, including their perspective on and experience with nature, as well as their previous day’s foods and drinks. This allowed the researchers to look into the dietary diversity of the participants, including an estimation of fruit and vegetable consumption.
The results showed that the more connected participants were with the natural world, the greater their diet’s variety and fruit and veggie consumption.
Pretty cool, right? I’m headed out for a walk!
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