MOUNT MAUNGANUI, NEW ZEALAND - Building healthy eating habits as children is critical, as those habits often follow us into adulthood. Through its Feel Good Study, Zespri™ is tackling this challenge by examining the relationship between fruits and vegetables (FV) and children's well-being.

“As stewards of the next generation's well-being, we understand the profound impact that early nutrition has on a child's lifelong health,” said Ng Kok Hwee, General Manager of Global Marketing, Zespri. “It is only through cultivating positive eating habits in a sustainable manner that we can truly make a difference and thrive as a healthier society with a brighter future.”

The Feel Good Study was conducted by researchers at University of Auckland, New Zealand, who lead research, education, and clinics in nutrition science, nutrition, and dietetics, a press release stated. Exploring strategies to increase exposure to unfamiliar FVs to promote acceptance in children, the study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a 10-week FV dietary intervention in primary school and the measurement of mental and cognitive health outcomes among those aged between eight and 10 years old.

As demonstrated by the study, increased FV acceptance from childhood paves the way for healthy dietary habits that extend to adulthood, in turn leading to improved overall well-being.

“We've always been invested in learning more about the nutritional benefits of kiwifruit to human health, but with this study, we sought to dig deeper into the nutritional outcomes of fruits and vegetables as part of a whole diet approach. We investigated areas that have not been studied as much—in particular, well-being and cognitive development—to show how choosing fruits and vegetables is not just a nutritional or dietary decision, it is an investment into the well-being of the child,” said Dr. Paul Blatchford, Innovation Manager – Core Products, Zespri. “This study represents Zespri's first step in understanding the tangible benefits to well-being. Given the varying nutritional challenges in each market, we plan to go beyond taking this first step and extend this research to future studies in our key markets.”

Overall, the study demonstrated the potential of increasing FV acceptance, overall diet quality, and vegetable intake among participants by raising awareness of the diverse FV options available locally. To dig further into the findings of the study, click here.

And stay tuned for our next update.