Nutritional Psychology

 Can The Quality of Plant-Based Diets Be Unhealthy and Lead to Depression? Over the past decade, both plant-based diets and rates of depression have increased. However, research findings remain mixed. Some studies suggest vegan and vegetarian diets may be linked to higher depression risk, while others report improved emotional well-being or no clear relationship at all. So why the confusion? The Missing Piece: Diet Quality One major reason for these conflicting results may be the lack of focus on diet quality . Not all plant-based diets are created equal: A healthy plant-based diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and minimally processed soy foods like tofu and tempeh. An unhealthy plant-based diet may still be vegan or vegetarian but relies heavily on ultra-processed foods high in fats and refined sugars. This distinction is critical when studying mental health outcomes. Study Overview: Who Was Studied? Lee et al. (2021) explored this conn...

  Diet Improves Cognitive Performance and Brain Vascular Health in Older Adults Summary This research explores how vascular and metabolic health connect to cognitive function, particularly in the context of aging and lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. With the global population aging, cases of cognitive impairment are expected to double by 2035, alongside rising rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) . These conditions share common underlying issues, including poor vascular function and impaired metabolic health. Although diet is well known to influence metabolic and  cardiovascular health  , less is understood about its direct effects on brain vascular function and cognition. This is important because the brain is highly metabolically active, and disruptions in its metabolic and vascular systems are linked to cognitive decline and the early stages of dementia. The research team at Maastricht University use...

 Can Medicinal Mushrooms Provide Improvements in Human Cognitive Abilities? Summary Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) is a medicinal mushroom with a long history of use in traditional healing. Modern research highlights its potential benefits for the brain and nervous system, including improvements in depression , anxiety , and cognitive performance. A 12-week study by Saitsu et al. (2019) investigated the effects of Lion’s Mane on cognitive function in healthy adults over the age of 50. Participants were divided into two groups: one group consumed four daily supplements containing Lion’s Mane powder, while the other received a placebo. Cognitive performance was evaluated using three tests: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for overall cognitive function Benton Visual Retention Test for visual memory and recognition Standard Verbal Paired-Associate Learning Test (S-PA) for short-term memory Key Findings: No significant differences were found between the groups in S...