Exploring the role of diet in modulating stress and emotional health: a review on mental nutrition and cognitive resilience

The rise in mental-health-related disorders, including anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment worldwide, has increased the demand for preventative non-pharmacological interventions and intervention aimed at modifiable lifestyle factors - particularly diet. Growing evidence shows that plant-based nutrition, with its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, is critically important for cognitive resilience, emotional stability, and mental wellbeing. Essential nutrient and bioactive compounds such as ω-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, B vitamins, magnesium, and probiotics themselves act on the gut-brain axis to alleviate neuroinflammatory stress. Functional and adaptogenic foods - for example, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, and Holy Basil - are becoming the focus of interest as they play a significant role in cortisol control and stress adaptation. All plant-based dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean, DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), and plant-based diets, show comparable associations with lower risk for depression, anxiety, and cognitive deficits through enhancing gut microbiome richness and balancing neurotransmitters. This review outlines the scientific basis of mental nutrition, highlighting the interconnections between dietary patterns, gut microbiota composition, diet-mediated modulation of neurotransmitter levels, and neuroinflammatory pathways that collectively influence mental health. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.