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Nutrients
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Effect of Nutrition and Physical Activity on Cognitive Function
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Effect of Nutrition and Physical Activity on Cognitive Function

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 September 2025) | Viewed by 1397

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Špela Bogataj

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Nephrology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
2. Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: physical exercise; cognitive training; chronic diseases; rehabilitation; sport medicine; brain health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue of Nutrients titled "Effect of Nutrition and Physical Activity on Cognitive Function". This Special Issue aims to explore the intricate relationships between dietary habits, physical activity, and cognitive health across the lifespan.

Emerging research underscores the significant impact of lifestyle factors on cognitive decline and the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Adherence to diets rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with enhanced cognitive reserve and a reduced risk of dementia. Similarly, regular physical activity has been linked to improvements in neuroplasticity and a delay in cognitive aging.

We invite the submission of original research articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that delve into the following topics:

  • The effects of specific nutrients and dietary patterns on cognitive performance and brain health.
  • The role of physical activity, including aerobic and resistance training, in maintaining or enhancing cognitive function.
  • Interactions between nutrition and exercise in the context of cognitive aging and neuroprotection.
  • Mechanistic studies elucidating how lifestyle interventions influence neural pathways and cognitive outcomes.

This Special Issue seeks to deepen our understanding of how modifiable lifestyle factors can serve as preventive or therapeutic strategies against cognitive decline.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this pertinent topic.

Dr. Špela Bogataj
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • cognitive function
  • nutrition
  • physical activity
  • brain health
  • cognitive aging
  • neuroprotection
  • dietary patterns
  • exercise
  • dementia prevention
  • neuroplasticity
  • antioxidants
  • diet
  • lifestyle interventions
  • cognition

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1061 KB  
Article
Post-Exercise Cognition and Prefrontal Hemodynamic Responses in Athletes: An Investigation of Low vs. High Glycemic Index Breakfast
by Çiğdem Bediz, Ferya Bertan, Erkan Günay, Egemen Mancı and Cem Şeref Bediz
Nutrients 2025, 17(20), 3296; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17203296 - 20 Oct 2025
Viewed by 241
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of low and high glycemic index (LGI and HGI) breakfasts on post-exercise cognitive functions and prefrontal hemodynamic responses. Methods: Ten male athletes aged 18–22 years participated in this study. The athletes conducted two [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of low and high glycemic index (LGI and HGI) breakfasts on post-exercise cognitive functions and prefrontal hemodynamic responses. Methods: Ten male athletes aged 18–22 years participated in this study. The athletes conducted two laboratory visits in a randomized manner. Athletes were given different glycemic index (GI) levels (low and high) for pre-exercise meals on different days, with the same calorie values, carbohydrate, and fat content. A total of 90 min after breakfast, a 30 min submaximal exercise was performed using a cycling ergometer. During the laboratory visits, blood glucose measurements were performed at the 0th (fasting), 90th (pre-exercise), and 120th (post-exercise) min. Additionally, the “3-Back test” was performed pre- and post-exercise to assess working memory and their prefrontal hemodynamic responses were monitored via functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. The collected data were evaluated in the SPSS 22 statistical program. Results: The HGI breakfast led to higher blood glucose levels at the 90th (pre-exercise) and 120th min (post-exercise) than LGI breakfast (p < 0.05). No difference was observed between HGI and LGI breakfasts in the results of the “3-Back Test” performed pre- and post-exercise. In terms of prefrontal hemodynamic responses, no difference was observed in post-exercise oxy-hemoglobin responses between the conditions. Conclusions: The findings of the study indicate that an increase in the glycemic index of breakfast has the potential to affect prefrontal oxygenation responses during cognitive tasks. However, no effect of glycemic index level was observed on cognitive and hemodynamic values at the end of the exercise. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition and Physical Activity on Cognitive Function)
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18 pages, 1578 KB  
Article
Adhering to Healthy Dietary Patterns Prevents Cognitive Decline of Older Adults with Sarcopenia: The Mr. OS and Ms. OS Study
by Yichen Jin, Gianna Lai, Shuyi Li, Jenny Lee, Vicky Chan, Zhihui Lu, Jason Leung, Kingson Lai, Kuen Lam, Tung Wai Auyeung, Timothy Kwok, Kwok Tai Chui, Jean Woo and Kenneth Ka-hei Lo
Nutrients 2025, 17(19), 3070; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193070 - 26 Sep 2025
Viewed by 589
Abstract
Background: The progression of cognitive decline is accelerated in older adults with sarcopenia, but the protective dietary factors have remained uncertain. Objective: This study aims to investigate the association between dietary factors and cognitive decline in older adults, and to explore [...] Read more.
Background: The progression of cognitive decline is accelerated in older adults with sarcopenia, but the protective dietary factors have remained uncertain. Objective: This study aims to investigate the association between dietary factors and cognitive decline in older adults, and to explore the potential mediating effects of sarcopenic components. Methods: Data from the Mr. OS and Ms. OS cohort study in Hong Kong (N = 3146, aged ≥65 years) were used. Cognitive function was assessed based on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Sarcopenic status was assessed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 updated consensus. Dietary protein intake and adherence to dietary patterns were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Linear regression was used to examine the associations between dietary factors and MMSE scores. Mediation analysis was conducted to identify the possible mediators in the diet–cognition associations. Results: Sarcopenia and its components were associated with baseline MMSE and MMSE changes. Positive associations were observed for plant protein intake (β = 0.79, 95% CI 0.24–1.35) and dietary patterns such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet (β = 0.14, 95% CI 0.02–0.26) and diets with lower Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) scores (β = −0.18, 95% CI −0.26–−0.09) with better MMSE outcomes. Protective effects were more profound in participants with sarcopenia/severe sarcopenia. The effects of the DASH diet and DII were more profound in female participants, while higher adherence to the Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet was associated with an increment in MMSE score in male participants with sarcopenia. Handgrip strength and physical performance are significant mediators in the diet–cognition associations. Conclusions: The protective effects of healthy dietary patterns were beneficial, especially for participants with sarcopenia, while handgrip strength and walking speed potentially mediated the associations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Nutrition and Physical Activity on Cognitive Function)
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