Tag: Diet and intelligence

Research from the National Institutes of Health has linked nutrient-dense foods to better brain function and a reduced risk of cognitive decline. But with so much conflicting information available, you might wonder: what is the best food to be smart? The key isn't one single item, but a balanced dietary pattern that supports optimal brain health throughout your life.

Studies have shown that a significant portion of a child's brain structure and capacity is developed before the age of three. This illustrates the profound and long-lasting impact that nutrition can have on intellectual development, making the right dietary choices vital for cognitive health at every life stage, from infancy through adulthood.

According to a 2024 study involving elementary school children, a positive correlation was observed between good food habits and higher IQ scores. But does what you eat affect your IQ directly, or is the relationship more nuanced than simply eating 'brain food' to become smarter?

A 2011 study published in the *Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health* found that children with a processed food diet at age three had a slightly lower IQ at age eight and a half, suggesting that nutrition during early brain development can have a long-term impact on intelligence. This raises a critical question: does junk food affect IQ in measurable ways, and if so, how does it happen? (ABC News report on study).