Nutritional Neuroscience最新文献

{"title":"<i>Ficus deltoidea</i> preserves neuronal-glial ultrastructure and attenuates neuroinflammation in an Alzheimer's disease-like rat model.","authors":"Michael Ayuba, Che Mohd Nasril Che Mohd Nassir, Hafizah Abdul Hamid, Zaw Myo Hein, Bukar Alhaji Modu, Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas, Muhammad Zulfadli Mehat","doi":"10.1080/1028415X.2026.2717205","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2026.2717205","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques, hyperphosphorylated tau tangles, cognitive decline, neuroinflammation, and neuronal-glial dysfunction, yet effective disease-modifying therapies remain unavailable. Increasing evidence suggests that preservation of neuronal and glial integrity is critical for mitigating disease progression. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of <i>Ficus deltoidea</i> Jack (FD) in a D-galactose and aluminum chloride (D-gal/AlCl₃)-induced rat model of AD-like neurodegeneration. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with FD (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) for ten weeks and assessed for cognitive performance, cortical neuronal integrity, hippocampal ultrastructure, and neuroinflammatory signaling. FD treatment significantly improved spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze without affecting locomotor activity. Histopathological analysis demonstrated dose-dependent preservation of pyramidal neurons in prefrontal cortex and hippocampal layers II (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), III (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), and V (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), with the highest dose of FD producing neuronal viability comparable to donepezil. Importantly, transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that FD markedly preserved the ultrastructural integrity of hippocampal microglia and astrocytes, maintaining mitochondrial morphology, rough endoplasmic reticulum organization, and myelin integrity. Consistent with these structural effects, FD significantly suppressed neuroinflammatory cytokine expression (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in the prefrontal cortex. Collectively, this study provides the first integrated ultrastructural and molecular evidence that FD confers multi-level neuroprotection across the cortical-hippocampal axis by preserving neuronal-glial architecture and attenuating neuroinflammation. These findings highlight FD as a promising multi-target natural candidate for mitigating neurodegenerative processes associated with AD.</p>","PeriodicalId":19423,"journal":{"name":"Nutritional Neuroscience","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148865837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Erucic acid arbitrates neuroprotection in streptozotocin-induced memory deficit via improving oxidative stress/neuroinflammatory indicators/cholinergic activity in rodents.","authors":"Nadeem Sayyed, Muhammad Afzal, Misbahuddin Rafeeq, Asma B Omer, Fahad A Al-Abbasi, Shakilur Rahman, Mohammed Al-Zharani, Sami I Alzarea, Imran Kazmi","doi":"10.1080/1028415X.2026.2718394","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2026.2718394","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Erucic acid (EA), a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid derived from Raphanus sativus L. seeds, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated its neuroprotective effects against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction in rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: normal control, STZ control (60 mg/kg), STZ + EA (10 mg/kg), STZ + EA (20 mg/kg), and EA (20 mg/kg) per se. EA was administered orally for 38 days. Blood glucose and body weight were measured before STZ administration and at the end of the study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Y-maze and Morris water maze (MWM). Cholinergic function, oxidative stress, neurotransmitters, inflammatory mediators, apoptosis, and cellular energy status were evaluated biochemically, and hippocampal histopathology was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>EA treatment significantly reduced hyperglycemia and attenuated diabetes-induced body weight loss. EA improved spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze and spatial learning and memory in the MWM, reducing escape latency and increasing target-quadrant time. EA decreased acetylcholinesterase activity while increasing choline acetyltransferase activity, restored antioxidant defenses, and reduced MDA, ROS, and NO levels. It also normalized neurotransmitter levels, suppressed TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, and caspase-3, increased IL-10, and improved the ATP/ADP ratio. Histopathology demonstrated preservation of hippocampal neuronal architecture.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>EA ameliorated diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction by improving learning and memory, preserving cholinergic neurotransmission, reducing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, and restoring cellular energy metabolism. These findings support the therapeutic potential of EA for managing cognitive impairment associated with diabetes.</p>","PeriodicalId":19423,"journal":{"name":"Nutritional Neuroscience","volume":" ","pages":"1-23"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148830962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protective role of L-methylfolate, vitamin B₂, and vitamin D₃ in modulating neurobehavioural and epigenetic outcomes of chronic stress.","authors":"Muhammad Nouman Zahid Magray, Laiba Taufiq, Saleha Bari, Naila Naz","doi":"10.1080/1028415X.2026.2718400","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2026.2718400","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic stress is a key risk factor for depression, while conventional antidepressants, though effective, often are associated with adverse effects. Nutritional approaches such as L-methylfolate, vitamin B₂, and vitamin D₃ offer safer alternatives by supporting neurotransmitter synthesis, one-carbon metabolism, and stress regulation. This study examined the preventive effects of a multivitamin combination in a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model. Male and female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, CUMS + saline, or CUMS + multivitamin groups and treated for 21 days. Behavioural tests, cortical morphometry, neurotransmitter receptor expression, hepatic folate levels, DNA methylation, and METTL3 expression were assessed, alongside serum cortisol and biochemical markers of liver and kidney function. CUMS induced depressive-like behaviours, elevated cortisol, impaired organ function, reduced cortical thickness, and downregulated serotonergic, dopaminergic, and adrenergic receptors. Multivitamin supplementation restored behaviour, normalized cortisol and organ function, preserved cortical integrity and hepatic methylation, and upregulated METTL3. These findings highlight multivitamins as functional food-based strategies for the prevention of depression-like behaviour.</p>","PeriodicalId":19423,"journal":{"name":"Nutritional Neuroscience","volume":" ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148818935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary casein source modulates water intake and anxiety- and cognition-related behaviors in C57BL/6J male mice.","authors":"Atsushi Toyoda, Hideaki Nishizawa, Chiho Kozawa, Hyeran Jang, Takamitsu Tsukahara","doi":"10.1080/1028415X.2026.2719754","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2026.2719754","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Semi-purified diets are commonly used in animal studies to improve experimental reproducibility. However, the composition of these diets often differs, particularly in ingredient sources such as casein, and the influence of these compositional differences on physiological and behavioral phenotypes remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare commonly used semi-purified diets and to test whether ingredient-level variation influences physiological and behavioral outcomes in mice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Male C57BL/6J mice were fed semi-purified diets based on the AIN-93G or an OpenStandard diet (OSD), the latter containing inulin. Each diet was formulated using either lactic acid casein or mineral acid casein and administered for 114 days. Feed intake, water intake, body weight, tissue weight, and various behavioral tests were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mineral-acid casein was associated with higher total water intake than lactic-acid casein across diet formulations. In contrast, lactic-acid casein was associated with a higher recognition index in the novel object recognition test and longer center-zone time in the elevated plus maze than mineral-acid casein. OSD increased cecum weight compared with AIN-93G.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings suggest that dietary casein source is associated with differences in water intake and selected behavioral outcomes in mice, with mineral-acid casein increasing water intake and lactic-acid casein improving memory performance. The choice of protein source in semi-purified diets should be considered when designing nutritional and behavioral experiments.</p>","PeriodicalId":19423,"journal":{"name":"Nutritional Neuroscience","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148796194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of medium-chain triglyceride with and without ketogenic diet in the management of drug-resistant epilepsy: a systematic review.","authors":"Marta Pellizzari, Larissa De Clauser, Susan Mir-Majidi, Alessandro Leone, Pierangelo Veggiotti, Roberto Previtali, Sara Olivotto, Simona Bertoli, Ramona De Amicis","doi":"10.1080/1028415X.2026.2720527","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2026.2720527","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ketogenic dietary therapies, including the medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet (MCT KD), are established non-pharmacological treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). MCTs may also exert antiseizure effects partly independent of ketosis. This review evaluated the effectiveness, tolerability, safety, and adherence of MCT-based interventions used with or without a ketogenic diet.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to April 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies in patients with DRE were included. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools and certainty of evidence using GRADE. Owing to substantial heterogeneity, findings were synthesized using a structured Synthesis Without Meta-analysis approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twelve studies were included: three RCTs and nine observational studies. One paediatric RCT found no clear difference in seizure outcomes between MCT KD and the classical ketogenic diet (CKD), despite higher ketone levels with CKD; however, equivalence was not established. A small paediatric crossover trial suggested possible benefit from a C10-enriched KD, while a small adult RCT indicated a possible therapeutic signal from MCT supplementation. Observational studies generally reported improvement from baseline but were limited by methodological weaknesses. Gastrointestinal adverse events were common but often manageable. Certainty of evidence was low to very low.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MCT-based interventions may offer a flexible option for DRE. Low-certainty evidence suggests that MCT KD may achieve seizure outcomes similar to CKD, but equivalence remains unproven. Evidence for MCT supplementation without a strict KD is very uncertain.</p>","PeriodicalId":19423,"journal":{"name":"Nutritional Neuroscience","volume":" ","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148796205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of anti-inflammatory diets based on complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.","authors":"Amir Reza Moravejolahkami, Vida Nazari, Fatemeh Zare Hossein Abadi, Masoud Mohammadnezhad","doi":"10.1080/1028415X.2026.2717197","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2026.2717197","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The role of diet in modulating inflammation has garnered attention, particularly regarding anti-inflammatory dietary interventions rooted in complementary medicine. The present study examined the clinical manifestations through which anti-inflammatory diets may influence MS, providing insights for clinician researchers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A thorough search was performed in Scopus, MEDLINE (PubMed), ScienceDirect, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Central Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science, covering trials published until December 2025. Random-effects models were used to analyze the quantitative data through STATA₁₄.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After analyzing 246 entries, we found 10 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) with a total of 332 participants, who had an average disease duration of 8.7 years. The combined effect size revealed a decrease in fatigue severity (Weighted Mean Difference [WMD] = -7.10; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = -13.61, -0.59; <i>P</i> = 0.032) and an increase in physical health score (WMD = 2.59; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.17, 5.00; <i>P</i> = 0.036).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Anti-inflammatory diets may improve MS clinical manifestations, especially fatigue and disability; therefore, more research is needed to confirm the present findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":19423,"journal":{"name":"Nutritional Neuroscience","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148796210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Schisandrin A, a dietary lignan from Schisandra chinensis, ameliorates cognitive deficits in AlCl₃/D-galactose-treated mice.","authors":"Jing-Su Xue, Min Niu, Xiao-Yue Song, Xiang-Min Deng","doi":"10.1080/1028415X.2026.2714516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2026.2714516","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with limited disease-modifying therapies. Chronic aluminum exposure, a well-recognized environmental risk factor, exacerbates AD pathogenesis by driving oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Schisandrin A (SchA), a bioactive lignan from the medicinal and edible plant Schisandra chinensis, exhibits promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, yet its nutritional relevance for AD intervention remains undefined. This study evaluated SchA's neuroprotective potential in an AlCl₃/D-galactose-induced cognitive impairment model. We found that SchA significantly ameliorated learning and memory impairments in Morris water maze, novel object recognition, open field and Y-maze tests, alleviated neuronal damage in the hippocampus and cortex, and reduced cerebral amyloid-β (Aβ) production in AlCl₃/D-galactose-treated mice. Mechanistically, SchA mitigated neuroinflammation via inhibiting the IKK/NF-κB/iNOS pathway, and alleviated oxidative stress through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 axis. Our findings demonstrate that SchA exerts neuroprotective effects in AlCl₃/D-galactose-treated mice, accompanied by modulation of inflammatory and oxidative-stress-related signalling, supporting its potential as a nutritional intervention for AD.</p>","PeriodicalId":19423,"journal":{"name":"Nutritional Neuroscience","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148761939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Luteolin and neurodegenerative disease modulation: linking molecular mechanisms, neurotransmission, and pharmacokinetics.","authors":"Shivani Chib, Shaurabh Shukla, Kajal Sharma, Randhir Singh","doi":"10.1080/1028415X.2026.2700760","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2026.2700760","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neurodegenerative disorders arise from the convergence of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, mitochondrial failure, and dysregulated cell death, highlighting the need for therapeutic agents capable of coordinated, multi-target modulation. Luteolin (3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone), a dietary flavonoid widely present in edible and medicinal plants, has emerged as a promising neuroactive compound with pleiotropic biological actions. Rather than focusing on isolated outcomes, this review presents an integrated summary of how luteolin orchestrates interconnected signaling networks, with receptor-level neuromodulation and neuroimmune regulation to preserve neuronal integrity. Particular emphasis is placed on pathway convergence, cross-talk, and system-level neuroprotection across models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders. In parallel, pharmacokinetic behavior, metabolite activity, and emerging delivery strategies are examined in relation to mechanistic efficacy. By linking molecular signaling, neurotransmission and therapeutic feasibility within a unified framework, this review offers a refined perspective on role of luteolin in neurodegenerative disease modulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":19423,"journal":{"name":"Nutritional Neuroscience","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148707454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Docosahexaenoic acid improves cognitive function and reduces neuronal apoptosis in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model: association with reduced oxidative stress and telomere attrition.","authors":"Hongyu Zhang, Yilei Zhang, Yuan Cheng, Qiaoxin Liu, Xiangrui Meng, Dongxia Wang, Mengyue Li","doi":"10.1080/1028415X.2026.2700765","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2026.2700765","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Given the global aging intensification, age-related chronic diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD) severely harm the elderly's health, with unclear pathogenesis and no effective drugs. Thus, this study intervened in APP/PS1 mice with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) feeds of different doses to explore DHA's effects on the mice's cognitive function and nerve cell apoptosis, aiming to find the ways to prevent or delay the elderly's cognitive decline.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Six-month-old APP/PS1 mice were divided into 4 groups: wild control (WT), model control (Con), low-dose DHA (DHA-L), and high-dose DHA (DHA-H). After intervention, the study evaluated mice's cognitive function, determined brain AD-related protein and free fatty acid levels, assessed neuronal degeneration and apoptosis, measured telomere oxidative damage, telomere length, and brain oxidative stress levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>(1) DHA shortened water maze escape latency, increased platform crossings and target quadrant residence time, and reduced the expression of AD-related proteins (APP, A<i>β</i>, etc.) (<i>P</i> < 0.05); (2) It improved brain neuronal degeneration and apoptosis (<i>P</i> < 0.05); (3) It enhanced brain antioxidant capacity, regulated SOD, LPO, and MDA levels, and reduced DNA and telomere oxidative damage (<i>P</i> < 0.05); (4) It prolonged brain telomere length (<i>P</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>DHA supplementation can improve cognitive decline in AD model mice, and the mechanism may be that DHA supplementation alleviates oxidative stress-mediated telomere wear in brain tissue, thereby inhibiting apoptosis of neuronal cells. These conditions provide a scientific basis for the elderly and people with cognitive impairment to prevent or alleviate cognitive impairment with reasonable intake of DHA.</p>","PeriodicalId":19423,"journal":{"name":"Nutritional Neuroscience","volume":" ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148674081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fermented food consumption and its association with constipation and psychological distress: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Gülen Suna, Merve Şeyda Karaçil Ermumcu, Nilgün Seremet Kürklü, Safiye Danışman","doi":"10.1080/1028415X.2025.2612120","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1028415X.2025.2612120","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The microbiota-gut-brain axis highlights a significant diet, gut function, and mental health link. Although fermented foods benefit gut health, how their consumption patterns affect psychological well-being remains unclear. This study investigated associations between fermented food consumption patterns (variety, frequency and specific patterns), constipation, and psychological distress in adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study included 400 adults (aged 18-65) in Turkey. A survey assessed socio-demographics (age, gender, BMI, education, and income) and fermented food frequency questionnaire. Psychological distress was measured using Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Gut function was evaluated using both Constipation Severity Instrument (CSI) and the Bristol Stool Scale for individual stool characterization. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 25.0. Associations were examined via correlation and multiple regression analyses (covariates-adjusted). The indirect effect of consumption patterns on distress through CSI was tested using PROCESS Macro (v4.3, Model 4) with 5000 bootstrap samples.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Contrary to expectations, a greater fermented food variety was associated with poorer psychological well-being. Pattern analysis revealed that the 'Low Variety + Medium-High Frequency' pattern was associated with the best psychological state. Conversely, a 'Medium-High Variety + Low Frequency' pattern predicted significantly worse psychological outcomes. This negative effect was fully mediated by increased constipation severity (<i>p</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The fermented food-psychological health relationship is pattern-dependent. Consistent consumption of a limited variety was more strongly associated with positive gut-brain axis-related outcomes than sporadic consumption of a wide variety. These results emphasize incorporating specific, sustained fermented food patterns into dietary recommendations and warrant longitudinal and interventional studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19423,"journal":{"name":"Nutritional Neuroscience","volume":" ","pages":"968-983"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146041309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}