We previously reported that greater intake of fruit and vegetables (FV) was linked to lower perceived stress,(Reference Radavelli-Bagatini, Blekkenhorst and Sim1) but the constituents responsible for this relationship remain uncertain. Several constituents such as flavonoids, fibre and vitamins in FV are thought to play a beneficial role,(Reference Godos, Currenti and Angelino2) but this requires further investigation. Dietary fibre may improve mental health through modulating the gut microbiome. Due to the link of FV with stress and mental health, it is possible that fibre from FV could also be beneficial for stress control. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether FV fibre and total dietary fibre intakes were associated with perceived stress in a population-based cohort of men and women aged ≥ 25 years from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) Study. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (n = 8640). Perceived stress was evaluated using a validated Perceived Stress Questionnaire (scores ranged from 0–1, lowest to highest). High perceived stress cut-offs were obtained from the highest quartile of the perceived stress score for each sex.(Reference Radavelli-Bagatini, Sim and Blekkenhorst3) Multivariable-adjusted (for age, sex, BMI [body mass index], energy intake, relationship status, physical activity, level of education, SEIFA [Socio-economical index for areas], smoking status, diabetes and prevalence of cardiovascular disease) logistic regression was performed to investigate the associations. The mean age of participants (50.1% females) was 47.8 (SD = 15) years. Participants in the highest (11.9 [SD = 2.9] g) versus lowest quartile of FV fibre (3.3 [SD = 0.9] g), had a significantly lower odds (32–34%) of having high perceived stress. This relationship was similar for fibre from fruit and vegetables, separately, and when soluble and insoluble fibre from FV were analysed separately. There were no associations for fibre from non-FV foods, cereals, or discretionary foods, as well as resistant starch from these food groups, with stress. In Australian adults, intake of higher FV fibre was associated with lower perceived stress, independent of lifestyle factors such as physical activity, BMI and energy intake. Further studies are needed to determine whether the fibre from FV is superior to fibre from other foods.
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