Improved diets and nutrition can reduce ADHD symptoms and prevalence

​A new study published November 2025 investigated the diets and other factors of many people with ADHD in 150 countries over a 28-year period, and found some interesting factors regarding some causes or treatments which can help to reduce ADHD symptoms.

The study acknowledges that food choices and nutrients are critical factors in neurological conditions, and this study looked into the individual macronutrients of protein, carbs and fats with ADHD prevalence and prevalence (Ni, Senior, Raubenheimer, Simpson & Nanan, 2025).

Some of the findings of this study included:
1. Increasing carbohydrates (from sugar, grains, fruits etc) in the diet increases prevalence of ADHD symptoms
2. Increasing dietary fats reduces ADHD symptoms and prevalence, as healthy fats can help with improved nerve function and omega-3 fats can reduce neuro-inflammation which can drive ADHD symptoms
3. Increased plant-based protein actually increased ADHD symptoms and prevalence, probably due to soy protein which is high in phyto-oestrogens which can affect male hormone balance and is known to increase ADHD in other studies. Animal proteins contain a larger range of amino acids which are beneficial in making the neurotransmitters needed for good mental health balance.

In summary, reducing carbohydrates and increasing healthy fats can be protective of ADHD symptoms and can reduce incidences, as can increased animal food based proteins. I have seen similar improvements and reduction of ADHD symptoms in many patients or children who have improved their diets and macronutrient percentages.

Improving the quality and variety of foods can improve nutrient density, reduce nutrient deficiencies, reduce digestive system symptoms which are common in ADHD, reduce food intolerances, reduce inflammation and oxidative damage which can affect brain function, improve sleep, and other health benefits.

Your food choice or nutrition intake isn’t the only driver of ADHD symptoms and mood or emotional dysregulation issues, but it’s a good start! There are many other root causes and factors involved in this complex chronic condition, which can be different in each person, and all root causes and factors need to be identified and addressed in each person in order to get further reduction of symptoms.

If ADHD symptoms can be reduced with changes in your diet, or macronutrient levels, or even with improved levels of vitamins and minerals, then ADHD is not genetic! There can be some genetic predisposition, which this study suggests, but environmental factors such as nutrition, heavy metals, toxins and chemicals, stress and trauma, and more, are modifiable and preventable factors which can be addressed to reduce and even reverse ADHD. There’s a lot which can be done to improve the health and quality of life of people with ADHD (and their families)! This is what I can help you with!

Stay healthy!

References:

​Ni, D., Senior, A., Raubenheimer, D., Simpson, S.J. & Nanan, R. (2025). Food environment with high plant-based fat supply is associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) protection: a global study with more than 150 countries. Frontiers in Nutrition. 12:1658228. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1658228