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Nutrients
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Nutrition in Brain, Cognitive and Psychological Health
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Nutrition in Brain, Cognitive and Psychological Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 October 2022) | Viewed by 23812

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Aneta Brzezicka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
SWPS Institute of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 03-815 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: gut–brain interactions; cognitive functions; hippocampus; western diet; microbiota
Dr. Dorota Zielińska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: mental health; probiotics; fermented food; microbiota
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is a rapidly growing cumulation of evidence that indicates that diet plays a crucial role not only in human physiology, body composition and cardiometabolic health, but also, broadly defined, in the brain and mental health. Diet can be viewed as an important element that shapes human cognition, emotions, mood and wellbeing. Poor diet is a lifestyle risk factor for mental disorders or cognitive decline with age. On the other hand, there is increasing recognition that adhering to a well-balanced, Mediterranean-type diet might be a protective factor against various mental conditions, e.g., depression or cognitive aging. The anti-inflammatory properties of specific food types, including pre- and probiotics, and so-called psychobiotics, are considered to act as a potential protective mechanism. Other dietary components (e.g., sugar) have been shown to be harmful to the brain and cognition, by promoting the growth of pro-inflammatory bacteria. This research area is expanding dramatically, so there is no way to capture it entirely in one issue; however, our aim is to help readers to better understand the current knowledge in this field. This Special Issue of Nutrients aims to cover the topic of the influence of nutrition and diet on, broadly defined, mental health. The expected contributions may be in the form of either review or experimental research, based on the influence of nutrition on the structure and functions of the brain, including cognition and emotions. 

Dr. Aneta Brzezicka
Dr. Dorota Zielińska
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • western diet
  • pro- and anti-inflammatory diet indexes
  • cognition
  • emotions
  • mental health
  • wellbeing
  • probiotics
  • psychobiotics
  • brain structure
  • brain function
  • neuroinflammatory

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 455 KiB  
Article
Associations between Hunger and Psychological Outcomes: A Large-Scale Ecological Momentary Assessment Study
by Romain de Rivaz, Joel Swendsen, Sylvie Berthoz, Mathilde Husky, Kathleen Merikangas and Pedro Marques-Vidal
Nutrients 2022, 14(23), 5167; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14235167 - 5 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2729
Abstract
Studies assessing the association between hunger and psychological states have been conducted in laboratory settings, or limited to persons with eating disorders. In this study, 748 community-dwelling adults (56.4% women, 60.0 ± 9.3 years) completed the Ecological Momentary Assessment four times a day [...] Read more.
Studies assessing the association between hunger and psychological states have been conducted in laboratory settings, or limited to persons with eating disorders. In this study, 748 community-dwelling adults (56.4% women, 60.0 ± 9.3 years) completed the Ecological Momentary Assessment four times a day (08:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00) for seven days. At each assessment, respondents indicated their current hunger level, food intake, and psychological states (sad, anxious, active, lively, distracted, anhedonic, angry, slow thinking and restless). Time-lagged associations assessing the effect of hunger on subsequent psychological states 4 h later and vice-versa were assessed. Hunger intensity increased subsequent active feeling (coefficient and 95% confidence interval: 0.029 (0.007; 0.051)) and lively feeling (0.019 (0.004; 0.034)) and decreased later slow thinking (−0.016 (−0.029; −0.003)). Previous eating increased later activity (0.116 (0.025; 0.208)). Feeling active (0.050 (0.036; 0.064)), lively (0.045 (0.023; 0.067)) and restless (0.040 (0.018; 0.063)) increased later hunger intensity, while distraction (−0.039 (−0.058; −0.019)) and slow thinking (−0.057 (−0.080; −0.034)) decreased it. No association was found between hunger, food intake and negative psychological states (sadness, anxiety and anger). Conclusions: Positive psychological states and hunger influence each other, while no association was found between hunger and negative psychological states. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Brain, Cognitive and Psychological Health)
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15 pages, 614 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Postpartum Depression in Exclusively Breastfeeding Women
by Hanshuang Zou, Minghui Sun, Yan Liu, Yue Xi, Caihong Xiang, Cuiting Yong, Jiajing Liang, Jiaqi Huo, Qian Lin and Jing Deng
Nutrients 2022, 14(23), 5006; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14235006 - 25 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3307
Abstract
(1) Background: Research has shown that chronic inflammation can increase the risk of depression. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) is a novel measure of dietary inflammation, which has been used to investigate the relationship between diet and mental disorders in adults. However, little [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Research has shown that chronic inflammation can increase the risk of depression. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) is a novel measure of dietary inflammation, which has been used to investigate the relationship between diet and mental disorders in adults. However, little research has been conducted to establish an association between dietary inflammation (as measured by DII) and postpartum depression (PPD) in exclusively breastfeeding women. (2) Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 293 women who were exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months or less were enrolled. The DII scores were evaluated using semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ), and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to measure depression levels of breastfeeding mothers during the six months following delivery. The participants were classified by tertiles, and the possibility of DII being associated with PPD was assessed by binary regression analysis. (3) Results: The average DII score was 2.32 ± 1.08, which ranged from −1.66 to 4.19. The rate of depression was 60.1%. Adjusted for potential risk factors such as age, educational level, occupational level, number of babies, number of caregivers, social support level, and sleep quality, the results showed that the lowest DII score was associated with a lower risk of PPD than the highest score (OR tertile Q1 vs. 3 = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.93, p = 0.030). (4) Conclusions: In exclusive breastfeeding women, the inflammatory potential of dietary intake seems to be related to depression. Interventions to improve diet quality might consider including a dietary component that aims to lower chronic systemic inflammation to prevent PPD. However, the relationship between DII and PPD among Chinese women remains to be demonstrated in a larger population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Brain, Cognitive and Psychological Health)
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12 pages, 482 KiB  
Article
Sports Supplements User Profile Based on Demographic, Sports, and Psychological Variables: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Leticia Mera-Zouain, José Luis Carballo and Mercedes Guilabert Mora
Nutrients 2022, 14(21), 4481; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14214481 - 26 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1996
Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of sports supplement (SS) use, efforts to profile users have not been conclusive. Studies report that 30–95% of recreational exercisers and elite athletes use SS. Research found has mostly focused on demographic and sports variables to profile SS users, [...] Read more.
Despite the high prevalence of sports supplement (SS) use, efforts to profile users have not been conclusive. Studies report that 30–95% of recreational exercisers and elite athletes use SS. Research found has mostly focused on demographic and sports variables to profile SS users, but little research has studied the psychological factors that may influence the use of SS. The purpose of this investigation was to classify, describe, and differentiate the profile of users and non-users of SS, considering demographic, sports, and psychological variables. A total of 554 participants completed the questionnaire. Overall, 45% of recreational exercisers and elite athletes reported using supplements. There were significant differences found regarding the use of SS between men and women (51% vs. 49%, p = 0.002; OR = 1.799), and when training 4 or more days per week (p ≤ 0.001; OR = 1.526). Findings regarding the psychological variables have been found in the Adonis Complex. These results indicate that participants with greater concerns regarding physical appearance, tend to be SS users (p = 0.001; OR = 1.200). The results of this study fill a gap in previous research, and provide an approximate profile, including demographic, sports, and psychological variables of SS users. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Brain, Cognitive and Psychological Health)
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15 pages, 353 KiB  
Article
Potential Triggers for Risking the Development of Eating Disorders in Non-Clinical Higher-Education Students in Emerging Adulthood
by Marius Baranauskas, Ingrida Kupčiūnaitė and Rimantas Stukas
Nutrients 2022, 14(11), 2293; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14112293 - 30 May 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2865
Abstract
Nowadays, eating disorders (ED) among individuals during emerging adulthood have become a crucial challenge to public health, taking into account the fact that the global prevalence of the ED risk in student-aged populations already stands at 10.4% and has been sharply increasing during [...] Read more.
Nowadays, eating disorders (ED) among individuals during emerging adulthood have become a crucial challenge to public health, taking into account the fact that the global prevalence of the ED risk in student-aged populations already stands at 10.4% and has been sharply increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In all, from 50% to 80% of all the ED cases go undetected or are not correctly diagnosed; moreover, these individuals do not receive specialized treatment. Therefore, early diagnosis detected via screening questionnaires for ED is highly recommended. This study aimed to identify the triggers for ED risk development in emerging-adulthood individuals and to reveal the factors significant not only for ED prevention but also for assessing individuals with subthreshold symptoms. This cross-sectional study provides the results for the ED symptom screening in 1716 Lithuanian higher-education students aged 21.2 ± 3.9, during emerging adulthood. According to the results of this study, 19.2% of students were at risk for ED. Potential risk factors such as sex (odds ratio (OR): 3.1, 95% CI: 1.9–4.9), body weight (self-reported body mass index) (adjusted (A) OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2–1.7) and comorbidities such as smoking (AOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.6–2.8), and perceived stress during the pandemic (AOR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1–1.8) are involved in anticipating the symptomatology of ED during emerging adulthood. Regular initial screenings with universally adopted questionnaires and further referral to a psychiatrist must be applied to promote both the diagnosis of early-onset symptomatology and the treatment of these ED in student-aged populations. Preventive programs for reducing the prevalence of overweight or obesity among students during emerging adulthood should focus on integration directions for the development of a positive body image. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Brain, Cognitive and Psychological Health)

Review

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12 pages, 680 KiB  
Review
Relevance of ω-6 GLA Added to ω-3 PUFAs Supplements for ADHD: A Narrative Review
by Jelle D’Helft, Riccardo Caccialanza, Emma Derbyshire and Michael Maes
Nutrients 2022, 14(16), 3273; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163273 - 10 Aug 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 8242
Abstract
The use of polyunsaturated fatty acids in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and developmental disorders has been gaining interest with preparations containing different dosages and combinations. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an ω-6 fatty acid of emerging interest with potential roles as an adjuvant anti-inflammatory agent [...] Read more.
The use of polyunsaturated fatty acids in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and developmental disorders has been gaining interest with preparations containing different dosages and combinations. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an ω-6 fatty acid of emerging interest with potential roles as an adjuvant anti-inflammatory agent that could be used with ω-3 PUFAs in the treatment of ADHD and associated symptoms. A narrative review was undertaken to examine the potential role(s) of the ω-6 fatty acid GLA. PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched to examine the potential role(s) of the ω-6 fatty acid GLA as (1) an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, (2) a synergistic nutrient when combined with ω-3 PUFAs, and (3) a potential etiological factor in ADHD and its treatment. The results show that GLA exerts anti-inflammatory effects by increasing dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid in immune cells. ω-3 PUFAs, such as EPA and DHA, are often co-administered with GLA because these ω-3 PUFAs may prevent the accumulation of serum arachidonic acid in response to GLA administration without limiting the storage of DGLA in immune cells. The administration of ω-3 PUFAs alone might not be sufficient to effectively treat patients with ADHD and developmental disorders. Overall studies point towards a combination of EPA and DHA with GLA in a 9:3:1 ratio appearing to be associated with ADHD symptom improvement. A combination of PUFAs may lead to better outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Brain, Cognitive and Psychological Health)
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Other

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14 pages, 702 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Interplay between Gut Microbiota and Cognitive Functioning in the Healthy Aging Population: A Systematic Review
by Maria Kossowska, Sylwia Olejniczak, Marcelina Karbowiak, Wioletta Mosiej, Dorota Zielińska and Aneta Brzezicka
Nutrients 2024, 16(6), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060852 - 15 Mar 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3622
Abstract
Background: The gut microbiota in healthy older individuals typically show a decrease in beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, alongside an increase in pro-inflammatory microbes such as Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridia. These changes contrast with younger and middle-aged individuals and appear to correlate with [...] Read more.
Background: The gut microbiota in healthy older individuals typically show a decrease in beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, alongside an increase in pro-inflammatory microbes such as Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridia. These changes contrast with younger and middle-aged individuals and appear to correlate with cognitive status. Although there is extensive research on gut microbiota and cognitive functions in cognitively impaired elderly individuals, its impact on cognitively healthy elderly populations has not been extensively studied. Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify studies exploring the relationship between gut microbiota composition and cognitive functioning in healthy older adults. During the literature screening process, each record was initially assessed by its title, abstract, and keywords to exclude articles that did not align with the scope of this review. Three authors independently screened and retrieved the records. The inclusion criteria included: (1) publication in peer-reviewed journals; (2) studies involving neurologically, cognitively, and medically healthy populations; (3) participants identified as older adults, defined for this review as individuals aged 45 years and older due to the limited number of records; (4) analysis of gut microbiota; and (5) assessment of cognitive function. Subsequently, full texts were analyzed to determine eligibility. The exclusion criteria encompassed: (1) incorrect publication type; (2) inappropriate sample population; (3) unsuitable study design; (4) absence of one or more inclusion criteria; and (5) studies based on animal research. A risk of bias assessment was performed for each included study using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist, ensuring all selected studies met established quality standards. Results: A total of 6 eligible research articles from a possible 1752 published until March 2024 were identified and included. We categorized the included studies into two groups based on their focus: the taxonomic composition of gut microbiota and the alpha diversity, which is the variety of organisms within a sample. Additionally, two methods were identified for assessing cognition: neuropsychological tests and physiological measurements, notably electroencephalography (EEG). The studies show varying results regarding the abundance of specific bacterial taxa and their cognitive associations. Notably, the relationship between certain bacteria and cognition may vary when analyzed at different taxonomic levels, such as phylum versus family. Conclusions: Changes in gut microbiota composition in the elderly, even without a cognitive impairment diagnosis, could potentially serve as early biological markers for Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias before mild cognitive impairment appears. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition in Brain, Cognitive and Psychological Health)
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