Diet and ADHD

Plain-language summary

The provided research focuses on the impact of dietary interventions on various health conditions like obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and osteoarthritis, and how digital interventions can promote healthy eating in adolescents. However, none of the studies directly examine the relationship between diet and ADHD symptoms. Therefore, we cannot draw conclusions about how diet affects ADHD from these studies.

Key findings

• Research suggests dietary interventions can improve lipid profiles in adults with overweight and obesity, but this is not directly related to ADHD.
• Dietary changes may help manage inflammatory markers in individuals with metabolic syndrome, though their specific impact on ADHD is not known.
• Dietary interventions appear to improve metabolic levels in patients with type 2 diabetes by influencing gut microbiota, but this connection has not been studied in the context of ADHD.
• Dietary interventions show promise in managing osteoarthritis, a condition distinct from ADHD.
• Digital tools can be effective in promoting healthy eating habits in adolescents, but there is no information on how these habits might impact ADHD symptoms.

Studies cited (8)

1. Exercise training, dietary intervention, or combined interventions and their effects on lipid profiles in adults with overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. — M. Khalafi, M. Sakhaei, F. Kazeminasab (2023, NMCD. Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, meta-analysis)

   AIMS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effects of Ex (exercise training) vs. DI (dietary intervention) vs. combined Ex and DI on total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) in adults with overweight and obesity. DATA SYNTHESIS PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched to identify original articles published until March 2022, using keywords for the categories "exercise training," "dietary intervention," "overweight and obesity," and "randomized." Studies that includ

2. Effects of Dietary Intervention on Inflammatory Markers in Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — Mengjun Wang, Jun-liang Liu, Zhao Zhang (2022, Frontiers in Nutrition, meta-analysis)

   Background Dietary interventions may modulate inflammatory indicators, but the correlations between dietary intervention and inflammatory markers in metabolic syndrome (MetS) settings remain opaque. Objective To evaluate the effects of dietary intervention on interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with MetS by systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google scholar, were searched from June 2011 to June 2021 for relevant available articles. Stan

3. Dietary intervention improves metabolic levels in patients with type 2 diabetes through the gut microbiota: a systematic review and meta-analysis — Xiaoyu Xu, Fan Zhang, Jiajia Ren (2024, Frontiers in Nutrition, meta-analysis)

   Background Poor dietary structure plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes and is closely associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Thus, the objective of this systematic review was to assess the impact of dietary interventions on improving gut microbiota and metabolic levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Results Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. In comparison to baseline measurements, the high-fiber diet produced substantial reductions in FBG (

4. The effectiveness of dietary intervention in osteoarthritis management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials — Sara Asadi, S. Grafenauer, Claire V. Burley (2025, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, meta-analysis)

   This study aimed to evaluate the impact of various dietary interventions on managing osteoarthritis (OA), a condition significantly affecting global health due to joint alterations driven by inflammatory mediators. A systematic review and meta-analysis, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, examined Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) investigating dietary interventions in OA. Two reviewers independently conducted study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. Random effects models calculated standardized mean differences (SMD) and mean differences (MD). Risk of bias was evaluated with the

5. Digital dietary interventions for healthy adolescents: A systematic review of behavior change techniques, engagement strategies, and adherence. — G. Melo, Rafaela Espírito Santo, Eugeni Mas Clavel (2025, Clinical Nutrition, systematic-review)

   BACKGROUND Adolescence is a crucial phase for developing healthy eating habits with lifelong health implications. Digital interventions, such as smartphone apps and web platforms, have emerged as promising strategies to promote healthy eating habits among adolescents by using behavior change techniques (BCTs). This study aims to systematically review internet-based dietary interventions targeting adolescents, focusing on the analysis of BCTs employed, their delivery modes, and their impact on adolescents' adherence and engagement. METHODS PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were use

6. Mediterranean-style dietary interventions in adults with cancer: a systematic review of the methodological approaches, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy — A. McHugh, Elisabeth L. O'Connell, Bridie Gurd (2024, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, systematic-review)

   Cancer and its treatments can lead to excess body fat, decreases in lean mass, cardiotoxicity, and other side effects. The Mediterranean diet (MED-diet) has the potential to improve clinical and supportive care outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the MED-diet on health outcomes in adults with cancer. Three databases were searched from inception to February 2023. Eligible studies included randomised controlled trials testing a MED-diet intervention among adults with cancer. Within- and between-group differences for adherence, diet

7. The influence of components of diet on the symptoms of ADHD in children — Konikowska K, Regulska-Ilow B, Rózańska D (2012, Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny, other)

   In most children with ADHD the cause of the disease is not exactly known, and its etiology is multifactorial. The conventional treatment is based on the combination of behavioral and psychological therapy and the pharmacotherapy. The pharmacotherapy has a high effectiveness in ADHD treatment, but it is often associated with undesirable side effects, such as: loss of appetite and weight, growth inhibition, abdominal pain, headaches, sleeping problems and increased blood pressure. In the recent years, much attention was devoted to the issue of an appropriate diet in this disease, especially when

8. The diet factor in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder — Millichap JG, Yee MM (2012, Pediatrics, other)

   DOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-2199