The Link Between Diet and Declining Brain Health: A Growing Mental Health Epidemic

declining brain health
Spread the love

In an era of technological advancements and evolving lifestyles, the food on our plates is under scrutiny as a potential cause of declining brain health. Professor Michael Crawford, Director of the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition, presents a concerning narrative in his new book, “The Shrinking Brain.”

He argues that over time, the human brain has shrunk by an alarming 20%, leading to a steady decline in IQ scores and a substantial rise in cases of mental illness.

The Connection between Diet and Declining Brain Health

Crawford highlights the potential connection between the human brain’s size reduction and the food we consume. Modern diets, often deficient in key nutrients, maybe a significant contributor to this alarming trend.

As one in five of the world’s children and adolescents is reported to have a mental health condition, this issue demands attention. Norwegian research, led by Ole Rogeberg, points to a decline in IQ scores among individuals born after 1975, a trend mirrored in various other countries, including Denmark, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Finland, and Estonia.

Crawford emphasizes that the decline in brain health can be attributed to environmental factors, specifically dietary choices. The switch from a diet high in fats to one rich in carbohydrates and sugar has coincided with a decrease in IQ scores. Researchers in the United States found that IQ test scores dropped over 13 years, correlating with this dietary shift.

This shift was fueled by the belief that fat, not sugar, was responsible for heart disease, leading to the widespread adoption of low-fat diets. Consequently, IQ scores have been decreasing by about seven percent per generation.

Professor Crawford, who also serves as a visiting professor at Imperial College London, warns that society is on a dangerous trajectory. He suggests that our modern diets are “dumbing us down” and that we are “heading for an idiocracy.”

The foods we consume today bear little resemblance to those of our ancestors, who evolved with a 1,600cc brain compared to the 350cc brain of chimpanzees, despite only a 1.5% difference in our genomes. This unique brain growth, Crawford argues, was made possible by the consumption of brain-specific nutrients from both land and sea.


The implications of these findings are far-reaching. If the decline in brain health is indeed linked to our dietary choices, it underscores the urgent need for a dietary transformation.

The Western diet’s shift away from fats towards carbohydrates and sugar has profound consequences not only for our physical health but also for our mental well-being. As mental health conditions continue to affect a significant portion of the population, addressing the dietary component becomes crucial

Crawford’s book serves as a poignant call to action, highlighting the necessity of further research into the relationship between diet and brain health.

With society facing a growing mental health epidemic, it is imperative to understand the role of nutrition in this crisis. Initiatives aimed at improving dietary education and awareness can play a pivotal role in addressing these concerns.

In conclusion, the connection between diet and declining brain health is a pressing issue. The work of Professor Michael Crawford sheds light on the potential impact of dietary choices on our mental well-being.

As the world grapples with a rising mental health epidemic, addressing the role of nutrition in this crisis has become an urgent imperative.



Spread the love
  • ADHD Linked To Dementia Across Generations, New Study Claims

    Researchers found that parents and grandparents of individuals with ADHD…

  • Sibling Fights Linked To Poor Mental Health In Children And Adolescents, Says New Study

    Researchers at University of New Hampshire found that sibling aggression…

  • Teens Playing School Sports Have Better Mental Health: Study

    New research found adolescents playing team sports in grades 8…

  • Bird Watching Near Home Improves Mental Health, New Study Finds

    New study found that being able to see more birds,…

  • Mental Health Services For Teenagers Lower Depression In Adolescence: Study

    Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that teenagers with…

  • Sunshine Boosts Mental Health More Than Any Other Weather Variable: Study

    The time between sunrise and sunset matters most when it…

  • Your Driving Habits Can Reveal Early Signs Of Alzheimer’s, Scientists Say

    Studies have found that people with symptomatic Alzheimer disease (AD)…

  • Mental Health Effects By Traffic Police Harassment

    Mental Health Effects By Traffic Police Harassment

    Traffic police harassment is a very common occurrence that numerous…

  • Narcissism Changes Throughout Life, New Study Finds

    New research published in Psychology and Aging, found that narcissism…

  • Excessive Posting Of Selfies On Social Media Can Make You A Narcissist, Researchers Say

    Excessive Posting Of Selfies On Social Media Can Make You A Narcissist, Researchers Say

    Excessive use of social media, in particular, the posting of…

  • Not All Psychopaths Are Criminals – Some Are Successful Instead, New Study Finds

    People view all psychopaths as violent. The study provides insights…

  • PTSD Increases Ovarian Cancer Risk, Study Claims

    Researchers found that women who experienced six or more symptoms…

  • Scientists Find A Network Of Neurons That Influence Eating Behavior

    University of Arizona researchers have identified a network of neurons…

  • A Racing Heart Can Alter Your Decision-Making Ability, Scientists Find

    Body-state monitoring neurons can hijack the decision-making process, according to…

  • Seasonal Variation In Daylight Influences Brain Function, New Study Confirms

    We experience more negative emotions in winters than in summer.…

  • Distrust Of The Past Can Fuel Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms, Study Says

    Distrust of past experiences can lead to increased uncertainty, indecisiveness,…

  • Meditation Helps You Make Fewer Mistakes, Scientists Find In New Study

    Researchers from Michigan State University found that If you are…

  • Thinking Leisure Is A Waste Hampers Your Mental Health, Study Suggests

    If people start to believe that leisure is wasteful and…

  • Short Naps During Day Don’t Relieve Sleep Deprivation, Study Says

    Short naps don’t mitigate the potentially dangerous cognitive effects of…

  • Survivors Of Trauma Experience Persistent Grief Years Later, Study Finds

    New study finds that people who survive a trauma that…

  • Exposure To Antibiotics In Early Life Can Affect Brain Development

    Researchers at Rutgers University found exposure to antibiotics in early…

  • New Study Claims Only 10% Of Kids With ADHD Outgrow It As Adults

    Contrary to a popular notion, most children with attention deficit…

  • Scientists Find Histamine As A Potential Key Player In Depression

    New study finds that body inflammation and release of the…

  • Insomnia In Children Increases The Risk Of Mood, Anxiety Disorders In Adulthood, Study Claims

    Childhood insomnia symptoms that persist into adulthood are strong determinants…

  • Addiction To Sun Is In Your Genes, Research Says

    People who love basking in sun have genes involved in…

  • Scientists Confirm Dual Beneficial Effect Of Physical Activity In Depression

    New research reveals that physical activity not only reduces depressive…