82% of British Workers Put the Economy at Risk By Not Eating Enough Fruit at Work

LONDON, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey has found 82% of British office workers are putting their health and productivity at risk because they don't eat enough fruit during the working day. Britains spend around 60% of their lives working, so in order to eat the recommended five pieces of fruit and veg a day we should try to eat three at work. But a recent survey, by OnePoll and London fruit delivery company Fruitdrop, found that only 10% of office workers in the UK eat three pieces of fruit a day while they're at work and only 7.5% eat more than the recommend amount.

A shockingly low 10% of women and 11% of men manage to eat three pieces of fruit a day at work. Office workers in Northern Ireland are the least fond of fruit, with nearly half claiming to not eat any fruit at all during the working day! Scotland and East Anglia also fared badly with 42% and 38% of workers claiming to not eat any fruit at all while at work!

Colds and flu are one of the most common causes of sick days in the UK, which costs the economy 17 billion pounds a year(1). Encouraging Great Britain's workforce to enjoy a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit could help us resist the bugs. Eating oranges, which provide vitamin C, reduces the chances of catching colds and flu, hopefully improving productivity. Research(2) has also shown that eating apples can help improve brain activity allowing you to think quicker and work more effectively and lemon juice, when mixed with honey and hot water, creates a great tea that helps sooth a recovering or mild sore throat. Eating a healthy diet can also improve sleep at night and therefore increase energy levels during the day keeping you focused at work.

Office workers aged 35 - 44 are the most likely to eat the recommended amount of fruit with 14% claiming to eat a virtuous three pieces a day while they're at work. However 18 - 24 year olds are the least likely to be getting enough fruit with only 6% admitting they eat three a day.

The healthiest region surveyed was the West Midlands where 18% of office workers eat three pieces of fruit during the working day. Employers in Birmingham and Wolverhampton should be delighted as a healthier workforce is often more productive. Ben Thompson, Managing Director at Fruitdrop, said: "I was shocked by the results; it's worrying to think that so many people are eating very little fruit at work. This should act as a wake-up call for employers, providing fruit for your workforce is really simple and can have a big impact on raising morale and improving productivity."

About Fruitdrop

Fruitdrop provides business all across the country with weekly fruit boxes so their workforce can snack on apples, oranges and bananas rather than the typical sweets, snacks and crisps found in most vending machines.

For businesses based in the capital Fruitdrop specialises in fruit delivery in London.

For more information visit www.fruitdrop.co.uk.

About OnePoll

OnePoll undertakes a wide range of market research projects, working on behalf of companies from various sectors within the UK and around the world.

OnePoll's data is used for a host of purposes such as generating feedback on websites, new products and services or potential ad campaigns. Stories based on OnePoll's research are also covered regularly by the national press, TV and radio broadcasters and online.

(1) http://www.moneyavenue.co.uk/news/executives-appointments-jobs-vacancies-careers-recruitment-part-time-employment/recession-clamps-down-on-employee-sick-days.html

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apples#Health_benefits

SOURCE Fruitdrop