The Nourished Brain Podcast is your trusted source for understanding the science-backed connection between nutrition, mental health, and brain function. Hosted by integrative and functional dietitian Sarah Ferreira, MS, MPH, RD, IFNCP, each episode dives into the field of nutritional neuroscience and explores how nutrition affects mood, cognition, and emotional well-being.
Through expert interviews and evidence-based strategies, episodes focus on practical ways to support brain health at every stage of life.
{Research Brief} Nonlinear Dose–Response Relationship Between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Risk of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
In this episode of The Nourished Brain, I break down a new systematic review and meta-analysis titled “Nonlinear Dose–Response Relationship Between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Risk of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”
I explore:
• Why chronic low-grade inflammation is now considered a key driver of mental health conditions
• The meta-analysis findings showing that higher DII scores are associated with increased depressive symptoms
• How anti-inflammatory patterns like the Mediterranean diet may support better brain health
• Key limitations of the review, including reliance on observational data and self-reported diet measures
Tune in to learn how your daily food choices may influence systemic inflammation—and ultimately, your mood and mental well-being.
---------
Yu L, Bian L, Ren L, Wei W, Zhang H, Miao M. Nonlinear dose-response relationship between dietary inflammatory index and risk of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Nutr. 2025 Sep 12;12:1645789.
---------
💡 Have a question you’d like me to cover on the podcast? Or interested in joining as a guest? Looking for a speaker for your event, workshop, or conference? Send me a message at nourishedbrainpodcast@gmail.com.
🌱 Want to explore 1:1 nutrition therapy?Learn more here: foodandmoodnutritiontherapy.com (https://www.foodandmoodnutritiontherapy.com/).
🧠 Stay up to date on the latest nutrition research for brain and mental health. Subscribe to the Brain Food Digest: brainfooddigest.beehiiv.com (https://brainfooddigest.beehiiv.com/).
18 Nov 2025
{Research Brief} How the Mediterranean and MIND Diets CAN IMPACT Cognitive Aging: Insights from a 60-Month Study
In this episode, I break down a 2025 paper published in Scientific Reports titled “The long-term neuroprotective effect of MIND and Mediterranean diet on patients with Alzheimer’s disease” by Liu and colleagues.
Over a 60-month observational period, researchers explored how two well-studied dietary patterns—the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet—relate to changes in cognitive performance, and whether these relationships differ based on APOE-ε4 status.
I unpack what each diet actually emphasizes, what APOE-ε4 means for brain health, and how nutrition recommendations were personalized for carriers versus non-carriers. You’ll hear how omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, and antioxidant-rich foods may provide added value for people genetically at higher risk of cognitive decline.
Finally, I dig into the reported beta-coefficients linking both diets with cognitive trajectories on the MoCA and MMSE, highlighting how even modest long-term dietary differences can translate into meaningful brain-health outcomes.
Reference: Liu X, Yang B, Liu Q, Gao M, Luo M. The long-term neuroprotective effect of MIND and Mediterranean diet on patients with Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep. 2025 Sep 24;15(1):32725. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-17055-5.
---------
💡 Have a question you’d like me to cover on the podcast? Or interested in joining as a guest? Looking for a speaker for your event, workshop, or conference? Send me a message at nourishedbrainpodcast@gmail.com.
🌱 Want to explore 1:1 nutrition therapy?Learn more here: foodandmoodnutritiontherapy.com (https://www.foodandmoodnutritiontherapy.com/).
🧠 Stay up to date on the latest nutrition research for brain and mental health. Subscribe to the Brain Food Digest: brainfooddigest.beehiiv.com (https://brainfooddigest.beehiiv.com/).
1 Nov 2025
How Caffeine Shapes Your Brain — Focus, Fatigue, and Long-Term Brain Health
Caffeine — it’s the world’s favorite stimulant and a daily ritual for millions. But what does it really do to your brain? In this episode of The Nourished Brain Podcast, we unpack the science behind caffeine’s short- and long-term effects on focus, mood, sleep, and brain health.
Learn how caffeine interacts with adenosine, the molecule that builds sleep pressure, and why older adults metabolize caffeine more slowly, leading to longer-lasting effects. We’ll also explore the latest research showing that moderate coffee and tea intake may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and depression — but that too much can backfire on mood and sleep.
🔍 You’ll discover:
How caffeine really boosts alertness — and why that 3pm cup might keep you up at night
The role of genetics, age, and kidney function in how your body clears caffeine
What large meta-analyses reveal about coffee and tea’s protective effects on cognitive decline
Why caffeine’s effect on mood is bidirectional — and how to find your personal sweet spot
Whether you’re a latte lover or trying to cut back, this episode helps you understand how caffeine impacts your brain — for better and for worse.
---------
💡 Have a question you’d like me to cover on the podcast? Or interested in joining as a guest? Looking for a speaker for your event, workshop, or conference? Send me a message at nourishedbrainpodcast@gmail.com.
🌱 Want to explore 1:1 nutrition therapy?Learn more here: foodandmoodnutritiontherapy.com (https://www.foodandmoodnutritiontherapy.com/).
🧠 Stay up to date on the latest nutrition research for brain and mental health. Subscribe to the Brain Food Digest: brainfooddigest.beehiiv.com (https://brainfooddigest.beehiiv.com/).
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
46
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Nourished Brain Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Nourished Brain Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
