Daily fruit juice may help reduce depression symptoms, study suggests

Drinking a single glass of fresh fruit juice or a smoothie each day could help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression, according to new research.

While it is already well established that eating fruits and vegetables supports physical health—reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and early death—scientists now suggest it may also benefit mental wellbeing.

Researchers from Newcastle University found that people who combined a daily intake of five portions of fruit and vegetables with a glass of fruit juice or smoothie experienced greater improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms than those who only increased whole fruit and vegetable consumption.

However, simply eating more fruits and vegetables without adding juice or smoothies did not show the same mental health benefits in this study.

Study findings

The research involved 42 adults who typically ate very little fruit and vegetables. Over four weeks, most participants increased their intake to five-a-day, while some also added a daily fruit juice or smoothie.

Those who included juice or smoothies showed a noticeable reduction in depression scores compared with other groups, with improvements of nearly three points on standard mood assessments.

Importantly, researchers reported no negative changes in metabolic health markers among juice drinkers, despite concerns about sugar content.

Why fruit juice might help

Experts suggest that fruit juice and smoothies may help people meet their daily fruit and vegetable targets more easily, especially for those facing financial or practical barriers.

They also contain vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds such as polyphenols, which may support brain function and blood flow.

Caution from experts

Despite the potential benefits, scientists emphasize that fruit juice is high in natural sugars, particularly fructose. Excess intake of “free sugars” may increase the risk of tooth decay, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes.

For this reason, experts recommend that fruit juice should complement—not replace—whole fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet.