Brain Food Digest: October 2025

What's New in Nutrition and Brain Health

In this trial run of a new newsletter format, I’m highlighting a smaller collection of publications (10/1/25-10/31/25) in more depth.

The benefit of this revised format? You get deeper insights into higher impact research, without the need for sifting through dozens of less relevant articles on your own.

Love it? Prefer more breadth with less depth? Hit reply and let me know—I’d love your feedback.

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Ferreira, MS, MPH, RD

P.S. If you find these insights valuable, please share the Brain Food Digest with a colleague or friend.

Research Area

• Cognitive Function, Memory and Neurodegeneration

• Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

• Migraines, Epilepsy and Other Neurological

Cognitive Function, Memory and Neurodegeneration

A new randomized controlled trial suggests folic acid may meaningfully support Alzheimer’s treatment.
In a 3-month study of 114 adults with Alzheimer’s disease, participants received either standard donepezil therapy or donepezil plus folic acid. Those taking folic acid saw a higher overall treatment response and notable improvements in biological markers. Inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), amyloid-β (Aβ1-42), and Tau proteins decreased significantly, while key neurotransmitters—including GABA, serotonin (5-HT), and acetylcholine—improved. Nutritional measures like albumin and hemoglobin also increased.

Takeaway: Adding folic acid to standard care may help slow Alzheimer’s progression by reducing neuroinflammation, lowering amyloid burden, supporting neurotransmitter balance, and improving overall nutritional status. Link to study.

A new systematic review reinforces the MIND diet’s role in supporting healthy brain aging.
Researchers reviewed 11 studies published between 2015 and 2024—including cohort studies, cross-sectional analyses, an RCT, and a case-control study—covering more than 17,000 adults aged 57–91. Most studies found that higher adherence to the MIND diet was linked to better cognitive outcomes, including stronger global cognition, improved memory scores, and healthier brain imaging markers. While one cohort study and the single RCT did not show significant benefits, results were generally consistent—especially among studies lasting longer than three years.

Takeaway: Longer-term adherence to the MIND diet appears to support cognitive health and may help reduce age-related decline. Link to study.

A large new systematic review and meta-analysis highlights the Mediterranean diet’s protective role in brain and mental health.
Across 45 studies and more than 730,000 participants, higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was linked to a lower risk of several neurological and psychiatric conditions. The strongest associations were seen for Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, depression, and Parkinson’s disease. Some evidence also pointed to reduced anxiety and lower mortality among individuals with Alzheimer’s, though data were limited. Notably, the diet did not significantly affect dementia prevalence or the progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

Takeaway: Consistent Mediterranean-style eating appears to support long-term brain health and may help reduce the risk of multiple neurodegenerative and mental health conditions—reinforcing its value in clinical and public health strategies for healthy aging. Link to Study.

A major new analysis identifies the MIND diet as the most neuroprotective among ten popular dietary patterns.
Using data from more than 166,000 adults in the UK Biobank and validating results in two additional U.S. and Chinese cohorts, researchers compared ten dietary patterns—including Mediterranean, DASH, plant-forward, and low-carb/lower-fat approaches—to determine which best supports long-term brain health. The MIND diet stood out, showing significant reductions in the risk of dementia, stroke, depression, and anxiety over a 10.5-year follow-up. These associations were consistently confirmed in the validation cohorts, where higher MIND adherence was also linked to better cognitive performance and markedly lower odds of cognitive impairment.Ultra-processed food intake showed the opposite pattern—strongly increasing risk for dementia, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and anxiety. Multi-omics analyses revealed that the MIND diet’s benefits may work through healthier metabolic profiles and slower biological aging—pathways that explained substantial portions of the reduced risk. In contrast, ultra-processed foods appeared harmful through disruptions in these same biological systems.

Takeaway: This large-scale, multi-cohort study reinforces the MIND diet as one of the most promising strategies for protecting long-term brain and mental health, while highlighting ultra-processed foods as a key modifiable risk factor. Further randomized trials are still needed to confirm causal effects. Link to study.

A new review highlights flavonoids as promising natural compounds for protecting the brain from neurodegeneration.
Researchers examined recent clinical, animal, and cell-based studies on plant-derived flavonoids—such as quercetin, myricetin, apigenin, and EGCG—and found strong evidence that these compounds can reduce oxidative stress, calm chronic neuroinflammation, prevent toxic protein buildup, and support healthy mitochondrial function. These mechanisms are central to conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and ALS, all of which currently lack curative treatments.

One challenge: many flavonoids have poor bioavailability and break down quickly in the body. Advances in delivery systems and structural modifications may be key to unlocking their full therapeutic potential.

Takeaway: Flavonoids appear to be safe, multipurpose neuroprotective agents that may help slow or prevent neurodegenerative disease—especially when used early or as complementary therapies. Link to study.

A new narrative review highlights how macronutrients and dietary patterns may shape the course of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Growing research shows that diet influences MS through immune regulation and the gut–brain axis. Diets high in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates consistently worsen neuroinflammation and promote pro-inflammatory Th1/Th17 responses, potentially accelerating disease activity. In contrast, monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and nutrients that support healthy tryptophan metabolism demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects and may improve clinical outcomes in people with MS.

Fiber-derived short-chain fatty acids and omega-3 metabolites also reinforce gut barrier integrity and help suppress harmful astrocyte activation. Evidence around gluten is increasingly consistent, with several studies suggesting that gluten-containing foods may promote inflammation or exacerbate symptoms in a subset of patients, though more well-controlled trials are still needed. Findings related to dairy and meat remain mixed.

Takeaway: Anti-inflammatory, fiber-rich diets—emphasizing unsaturated fats and limiting sugar, saturated fat, and potentially gluten—appear to offer protective benefits in MS. While additional clinical trials are needed, diet is emerging as a meaningful, modifiable factor in MS management and overall health. Link to study.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

New research links lower levels of vitamins A, D, and E to ADHD symptoms in children.
In a cross-sectional survey with a case-control analysis of 657 children aged 4–10, those diagnosed with ADHD had significantly lower blood levels of vitamins A, D (both D2 and D3), and E compared with healthy controls. Deficiencies were observed across all ADHD subtypes, with the strongest differences in attention-deficit and mixed presentations. Lower vitamin levels were also correlated with greater functional impairments on the Weiss Functional Deficit Rating Scale.

Takeaway: While the cross-sectional design cannot establish causality, the findings suggest that low levels of fat-soluble vitamins may be related to both the presence and severity of ADHD symptoms. Vitamins A, D, and E could have potential as adjunctive therapies, but prospective trials are needed to determine whether supplementation improves outcomes. Link to study.

Migraines, Epilepsy and Other Neurological

A new randomized controlled trial suggests phytosomal curcumin may help reduce migraine burden.
In an 8-week double-blind study of 7p-=]0 adults with migraine (without aura), participants received either 250 mg/day of phytosomal curcumin or a placebo alongside their usual medications. Compared with placebo, curcumin significantly reduced migraine severity, duration, and attack frequency. Participants also experienced lower stress scores, reduced headache-related impact, and meaningful improvements in sleep quality and overall quality of life.

Curcumin did not significantly improve depression or anxiety symptoms, and no adverse effects were reported.

Takeaway: Phytosomal curcumin appears to be a safe, well-tolerated supplement that may complement standard treatment by easing migraine symptoms and improving daily functioning. Link to study.

A targeted omega-3–rich, omega-6–lowering diet may help reduce persistent post-traumatic headache (pPTH).
In a 12-week randomized controlled trial of 122 adults with pPTH, participants followed either a high–omega-3, low–omega-6 (H3L6) diet or a control diet. Compared with the control group, the H3L6 diet led to fewer headache days per month, lower average headache intensity, and higher levels of 17-hydroxy-DHA—a circulating antinociceptive (pain-reducing) omega-3 derivative. HIT-6 scores, which reflect headache-related disability, did not significantly differ between groups.

Takeaway: Adjusting dietary fatty acids—boosting omega-3s while reducing omega-6 linoleic acid—may meaningfully reduce headache burden and increase beneficial pain-modulating metabolites in people with persistent post-traumatic headache. Link to study.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this newsletter. Reliance on any information provided in this newsletter is solely at your own risk. The authors and publishers of this newsletter are not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from the use of the information provided.

Copyright © 2025 Sarah Thomsen Ferreira.