Mechanisms of interaction between diet and mental health: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health and diet are related through the mechanisms of intestinal microbiota, inflammation, epigenetics, and the effects of nutrients, with each mechanism having its own peculiarities and influencing mental processes in various ways. Objective: To define the main dietary interaction mechanisms that can affect human mental health. Methodology: Articles published since 2010 were selected using the following databases: PubMed (Medline) and Cochrane Controlled Trials. Results: Several pieces of evidence explain the interaction between intestinal microbiota and the brain, given that the former plays a role in the synthesis of various neurotransmitters such as GABA, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine, which can relate to stress response processes, cognition, and affective disorders¹. Regarding the influence of inflammation on mental health, one should consider its effects on circulating levels of inflammatory markers, the dysregulation of neurotransmitter synthesis, and the increase in oxidative stress². Epigenetic changes, observable through lifestyle modifications, have the ability to influence a wide range of cognitive dysfunctions and mental disorders³. Concerning the effects of nutrients on mental health, it is evident that adequate nutritional intake is fundamental for the functioning of the antioxidant system, which is linked to the development of psychiatric disorders⁴. Conclusions: The adoption of a healthy diet represents a positive and low-risk lifestyle change aimed at maintaining mental health by acting through different mechanisms.