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Nutrition and Brain Health Across the Lifespan: Insights into Mental, Cognitive, and Sleep Outcomes in Health and Disease

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 8943

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Piril Hepsomali

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Guest Editor

School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6ET, UK
Interests: nutritional psychiatry; gut–brain axis; neuroscience; psychobiotics; functional foods; inflammation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Adele Costabile

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Guest Editor

School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton, London SW15 4JD, UK
Interests: gut microbiota and microbiome; functional foods; clinical nutrition; metagenomics and microbial genomics; metabolomics; metabolic health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is growing evidence that nutrition is vital role for supporting mental well-being, cognitive function, and sleep health through varied interacting biological and neural mechanisms. This Special Issue invites cutting-edge contributions from in vitro, preclinical, and human studies, including cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention-based designs, that explore how nutrition influences brain health across the human lifespan, from early development to older adulthood. We are particularly interested in work that investigates or elucidates underlying mechanistic pathways in both healthy individuals and clinical populations across all stages of life. We welcome a wide range of manuscript types, including original research articles, systematic, narrative and scoping reviews, meta-analyses, short communications, and commentaries and perspectives.

Dr. Piril Hepsomali
Prof. Dr. Adele Costabile
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

nutritional psychiatry and neuroscience
gut microbiome
oral microbiome
gut–brain axis
systemic and neuroinflammation
cognitive function
mental health
sleep and circadian rhythms
cognitive development
infant and child brain health
adolescent mental health
aging and cognitive decline
psychobiotics
functional foods
nutrition
diet
brain imaging
neurotransmitters
non-communicable diseases
metabolic disorders

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 4105 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hypnotic Effects of Hypericum perforatum L. and Melissa officinalis L. Through Adenosine and Melatonin Receptors

by Hye Jin Jee, Suk Jin Lee, Jae Ryeong Yoo, Hye-Jin Kim, Hyoung-Su Park, Hye-Jeong See and Yi-Sook Jung

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1666; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111666 - 22 May 2026

Viewed by 242

Abstract

Background: Sleep disorders, particularly insomnia, represent a major public health concern, while currently available hypnotic drugs are often limited by adverse effects and poor long-term tolerability. Methods: In this study, we investigated the sleep-promoting effects of a mixture of Hypericum perforatum L. and Melissa officinalis L. extract (HME) and its underlying mechanisms in male ICR and C57BL/6 mice. In a pentobarbital-induced sleep model in mice, sleep onset latency and total sleep time were measured. Pharmacological studies using various antagonists and agonists were conducted to elucidate receptor-mediated mechanisms. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to assess neuronal activity, and cortical mRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative analysis. HPLC analysis was used to identify the major constituents of HME, and their pharmacological profiles were functionally evaluated. Results: HME significantly reduced sleep onset latency and prolonged total sleep time. These hypnotic effects were shown to be mediated through adenosine and melatonin receptor signaling pathways. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses showed that HME suppressed neuronal activity in wake-promoting cholinergic and orexinergic neurons of the basal forebrain and lateral hypothalamus, while enhancing activation of sleep-promoting GABAergic neurons in the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus. At the molecular level, HME increased cortical mRNA expression levels of adenosine A₁ receptor, adenosine A_2A receptor, melatonin receptor 1, and melatonin receptor 2. From the HPLC analysis, rosmarinic acid and hyperoside were identified as the major constituents of HME. Functional evaluation of these compounds revealed complementary pharmacological profiles, with hyperoside primarily acting through adenosine receptors and rosmarinic acid engaging both adenosine and melatonin receptor pathways. Conclusions: These findings suggest that HME enhances both sleep initiation and maintenance through adenosine and melatonin receptor signaling pathways, thereby supporting its potential as a multitarget therapeutic agent for improving sleep quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Brain Health Across the Lifespan: Insights into Mental, Cognitive, and Sleep Outcomes in Health and Disease)

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14 pages, 439 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, Breakfast Frequency, and Life Satisfaction Among Health Sciences Students: The Mediating Role of Positive Affect

by Jacksaint Saintila, Norma Del Carmen Gálvez-Díaz, Luz A. Barreto-Espinoza, Christian Casas-Gálvez, Ana Valle-Chafloque, Ramos Alfonso Paredes-Aguirre and Yaquelin E. Calizaya-Milla

Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010122 - 30 Dec 2025

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Abstract

Background: Eating habits such as fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and breakfast frequency are well recognized for their contribution to overall health and well-being. However, the psychological mechanisms that explain the link between these habits and life satisfaction remain poorly explored among university students in the health sciences. Objective: To examine whether positive affect mediates the relationship between FV consumption, breakfast frequency, and life satisfaction among health sciences students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 511 students. FV consumption, breakfast frequency, positive affect, and life satisfaction were assessed using self-report measures. Mediation models were applied to estimate direct and indirect associations. Results: FV consumption and breakfast frequency were positively associated with both positive affect and life satisfaction. Although the direct associations with life satisfaction were not significant, the indirect associations through positive affect were significant (FV: β = 0.114, 95% CI [0.055, 0.173]; breakfast: β = 0.133, 95% CI [0.073, 0.192]). The model accounted for 51.4% of the variance in life satisfaction. Conclusions: The results highlight the role of positive affect as a psychological mechanism linking everyday eating habits to life satisfaction, emphasizing the need to integrate emotional components into strategies for promoting healthy lifestyles among university populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Brain Health Across the Lifespan: Insights into Mental, Cognitive, and Sleep Outcomes in Health and Disease)

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14 pages, 306 KB

Open AccessArticle

Challenging the Wine Component in Mediterranean Diet Scores: Cognitive Outcomes in Portuguese Adults at High Risk of Dementia

by Andreia Mesquita, Daniela de Sousa, Patrícia Padrão, Ana Rute Costa and Pedro Moreira

Nutrients 2025, 17(22), 3576; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17223576 - 15 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1229

Abstract

Introduction: The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been linked to better cognition, but evidence in older adults at high dementia risk is limited. Moreover, the traditional Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) counts daily wine consumption as a beneficial component, which may distort genuine diet–cognition relationships. Objective: Evaluate whether MD adherence, as measured with the original MEDAS (MEDAS-O) versus a version that reverses the wine item (MEDAS-R), is associated with cognitive function in Portuguese adults aged 55–85 years at increased dementia risk. Methodology: The sample comprised 75 participants from the NUTRIMIND randomised controlled trial (mean age 70.5 ± 7.0 years). MD adherence was evaluated using the original version of MEDAS (MEDAS-O) and an adapted version with a reverse score in the wine question (MEDAS-R). Cognitive function was assessed via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Statistical analysis was performed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, education, and physical activity. Results: MEDAS-R was positively associated with better MMSE performance (p = 0.043) and showed a borderline association with the MoCA (p = 0.051), but not with the ACE-R score (p = 0.356). No association was found between MEDAS-O and cognitive function. Better cognitive scores were more frequently observed among participants with higher education (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Reversing the wine item changes how MEDAS relates to cognitive function. These findings support re-evaluating how wine is scored in MD adherence measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Brain Health Across the Lifespan: Insights into Mental, Cognitive, and Sleep Outcomes in Health and Disease)

11 pages, 233 KB

Open AccessArticle

Association Between Working Memory at Age 4 Years and Night Sleep Duration and Yogurt Intake Frequency at Age 1 Year

by Yuki Otsuka, Shoji Itakura, Motonobu Watanabe, Kumiko Kanatani, Kyoko Hirabayashi, Fusako Niwa and Takeo Nakayama

Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3081; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193081 - 27 Sep 2025

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: This cohort study examined the effects of sleep durations (night, day, and total daily) at ages 1, 1.5, and 3 years on working memory (WM) assessed at age 4, measured using forward digit span. Methods: Because frequency of yogurt intake at 1 year has been shown to affect sleep duration at 3 years, we also accounted for the association between frequency of yogurt intake at 1 year and sleep duration, based on a recent study indicating positive effects of yogurt on sleep. The study included 164 mother–child pairs observed from ages 1 to 4. Results: Spearman correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that both night sleep duration and yogurt intake at age 1 were significantly associated with WM performance at age 4. In this sample, however, yogurt intake was not correlated with sleep duration. Conclusions: To a limited degree, both yogurt intake frequency and night sleep duration at 1 year were associated with WM performance at 4 years, indicating that frequent yogurt intake at 1 year and longer night sleep duration may lead to higher WM performance at 4 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Brain Health Across the Lifespan: Insights into Mental, Cognitive, and Sleep Outcomes in Health and Disease)

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18 pages, 758 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Important Are Dietary Habits Compared to Other Factors for Sleep Quality?—An Analysis Using Data from a Specific Region in Japan

by Makoto Hazama, Hiroyo Kagami-Katsuyama, Naohito Ito, Mari Maeda-Yamamoto and Jun Nishihira

Nutrients 2025, 17(17), 2787; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172787 - 27 Aug 2025

Viewed by 3304

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The improvement of sleep quality is unquestionably a critical issue in public health. While numerous factors influence sleep quality, the relative importance of dietary habits remains insufficiently understood. The objective of this study is to evaluate the contribution of dietary habits by quantitatively comparing the effects of various determinants of sleep quality. Methods: Using sleep diary data from healthy males and females residing in a specific region of Japan, we estimated a dynamic multivariate panel model (DMPM) to obtain posterior predictive distributions on a scale that allows for comparisons across factor categories. Three outcome variables were adopted to measure sleep quality: presence or absence of daytime drowsiness, ease of falling asleep, and ease of waking up. The determinants of sleep quality examined in the analysis were categorized into six groups: stress factors, bedtime conditions, weather conditions, physical characteristics, exercise habits, and dietary habits. Results: The analysis revealed that although there were some seasonal and gender differences, dietary habits showed effect sizes that were no smaller than those of other determinants across all outcome variables. Conclusions: These results suggest that improving dietary habits, along with enhancing exercise habits and bedtime conditions, is a valid and equally important strategy for promoting better sleep. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Brain Health Across the Lifespan: Insights into Mental, Cognitive, and Sleep Outcomes in Health and Disease)

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Review

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30 pages, 8504 KB

Open AccessReview

Vitamin D as a Lifespan Neuroimmune Signal in Psychiatry: From Developmental Risk to Precision Nutrition

by Czeslaw Ducki, Monika Jach, Michal Pruc, Halla Kaminska, Pawel Pludowski and Lukasz Szarpak

Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1877; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121877 - 10 Jun 2026

Viewed by 239

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Vitamin D is a nutrient-related secosteroid system with endocrine, paracrine, immunological, and neurodevelopmental actions relevant to nutritional psychiatry. Psychiatric research has often treated vitamin D either as a cross-sectional correlate of depression or as a non-specific supplement expected to act across heterogeneous diagnostic categories. This narrative review aimed to develop a more discriminating framework in which vitamin D is considered a lifespan neuroimmune and immunometabolic signal whose psychiatric relevance depends on developmental timing, biological context, and phenotype. Methods: Evidence was integrated from developmental epidemiology, neonatal dried-blood-spot studies, randomized trials, meta-analyses, Mendelian randomization studies, clinical guidelines, and mechanistic neuroscience. The review focuses on prenatal and neonatal 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein, free and bioavailable vitamin D, vitamin D receptor signaling, immune and microglial pathways, neurotransmitter systems, neurotrophic signaling, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal-axis regulation, and the gut–microbiota–immune–brain axis. Results: The available evidence does not support vitamin D as a universal treatment for psychiatric disorders. Instead, vitamin D deficiency and altered vitamin D biology appear most relevant in biologically and clinically defined risk states, including neurodevelopmental vulnerability, inflammatory depression, psychosis liability, severe mental illness with nutritional deprivation, metabolic comorbidity, and cognitive frailty. Mechanistic data support plausible links with cytokine biology, the tryptophan–kynurenine pathway, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems, stress regulation, and neuroimmune homeostasis. Conclusions: Vitamin D should be conceptualized in psychiatry as a context-dependent neuroimmune and immunometabolic signal rather than a generic psychotropic intervention. Future studies should prioritize biomarker-enriched, developmentally timed, nutrition-centered models of precision prevention and adjunctive care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Brain Health Across the Lifespan: Insights into Mental, Cognitive, and Sleep Outcomes in Health and Disease)

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