Brain Health

Vitamin C Levels Were Linked to Differences in the Aging Brain

A study of more than 2,000 older adults found associations involving gray matter volume and brain connectivity, but it does not show that vitamin C prevents cognitive decline.

Early Eating Patterns May Matter for Learning Years Later

A systematic review suggests that nutrition in the first years of life may be linked to cognitive performance in adolescence, while evidence for teen-focused interventions remains mixed.

Alcohol Raises Cancer Risk Even at Low Levels, Analysis Finds

A global analysis found clear links between alcohol and cancer and liver disease, while the evidence for some heart, metabolic and brain conditions was more complicated.

A Nutrition Marker May Offer Clues About Fatigue and Motivation

In a study of healthy Japanese adults, higher homocysteine levels were linked with physical fatigue in men and lower motivation in women, but the findings do not prove that vitamin levels caused those symptoms.

Teen Heart Health Markers May Be Linked to Brain Function

A Finnish study found blood lipid markers tied to slower processing speed in adolescents, suggesting heart and brain health may be connected earlier than many people realize.

Caffeine May Change How Deeply Your Brain Sleeps

A new review suggests caffeine can affect sleep quality in ways people may not notice, including changes in brain activity tied to deeper rest.

Small Trial Adds Nuance to the 100% Fruit Juice Debate

A new study found lower depression scores among adults who added juice or smoothies while increasing produce intake, but the findings come from a small industry-funded trial.

Structured Healthy Habits May Help Older Adults Reduce Frailty

A two-year randomized clinical trial found older adults at risk for cognitive decline improved more on a frailty measure when lifestyle changes included coaching, goal setting and accountability.

Can Healthy Eating Help Memory Recover After a Sugary Diet?

A review of animal studies found memory improved after unhealthy diets were replaced with healthier food, though recovery appeared weaker after diets high in sugar or both fat and sugar.

Vitamin D During Pregnancy May Be Linked to Children’s Memory Years Later

A follow-up analysis of a Danish clinical trial found children whose mothers received higher-dose vitamin D3 during pregnancy performed better on some memory tests at age 10, but researchers say the findings should be interpreted carefully.

Cutting Back on Alcohol May Reverse Some Health Risks

A new review finds alcohol contributes to a wide range of diseases and injuries, but some risks may fall when people reduce or stop drinking.

Mouse Study Suggests Newer GLP-1 Drugs May Alter Food Reward Pathways

A Nature study found oral GLP-1 drugs affected brain circuits tied to food motivation in mice, offering clues about why these medications may influence cravings beyond appetite alone.

Higher Egg Intake Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s Risk in Long-Term Study

A large observational study of older adults found that people who ate eggs more often were less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease over time, though researchers cannot say eggs themselves were the cause.

Weight Gain Over Time May Be Linked to Faster Brain Aging

A 24-year study found that higher long-term BMI was associated with steeper cognitive decline in older adults, but BMI is only one piece of a much bigger brain health puzzle.

Study Links Ultraprocessed Foods to Lower Focus in Adults

A cross-sectional study found an association between higher ultraprocessed food intake and lower attention scores, even among adults with otherwise healthy diets.

Coffee’s Gut-Brain Promise Comes With Caveats

A small human study found links between coffee, mood and the gut microbiome, but it does not prove coffee improves mental health.

Gut Microbiome Patterns May Offer Early Clues to Parkinson’s Risk

A large international study finds distinct gut bacteria patterns in people with Parkinson’s and in some who have not developed symptoms yet.

What Your Gut Microbiome Might Reveal About Brain Health

A new study links the “neuroactive potential” of gut bacteria to cognition and depression in older adults, though the findings are observational and do not show cause and effect.

Plant-Based Diet Quality Linked to Dementia Risk, Large Study Finds

Not all plant-based diets are created equal, with whole foods linked to lower risk and refined options tied to higher risk.

Sugary Drink May Keep Your Body Slightly Activated During Relaxation

A small human study suggests glucose doesn’t change how relaxed you feel, but may keep part of the nervous system more alert.

Higher Vitamin D Levels in Midlife Linked to Lower Alzheimer’s Biomarker Years Later

A long-term study found an association with tau protein, though not all markers of Alzheimer’s disease were affected.

Could GLP-1 Drugs Affect Mood? Study Links Medications to Lower Risk of Depression and Anxiety

A large analysis finds people taking GLP-1 medications had fewer psychiatric-related hospital visits, though researchers say the reasons remain unclear

Can What You Eat Slow Brain Aging? Study Links MIND Diet to Less Brain Shrinkage

Long-term data suggest a Mediterranean-style eating pattern may be tied to slower loss of brain volume, though researchers caution it’s not cause and effect

Early Drinking and Stress May Leave a Lasting Mark on the Brain

A mouse study suggests heavy alcohol use in early adulthood, especially alongside stress, could affect cognitive flexibility later in life—even after years of not drinking

Heavy Smartphone Use Linked to Disordered Eating and Body Dissatisfaction in Teens, Review Finds

A large review of global research found that adolescents who spend more time on smartphones are more likely to report emotional overeating, uncontrolled eating and dissatisfaction with their bodies.