Mindd Foundation

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances that can interfere with the body's hormone systems, affecting how hormones are produced, transported, and function. Exposure is widespread and can occur through food, water, air, and everyday consumer products.

A recent review highlights how EDCs may contribute to a range of chronic health concerns, including reproductive disorders, obesity, type 2 diabetes, immune dysregulation, neurodevelopmental challenges, and increased cancer risk. The review also examines persistent organic pollutants such as dioxins and PCBs, which can accumulate in the food chain and contribute to human exposure through animal-derived foods, including meat, dairy, fish, and eggs.

These findings add to growing concerns about the impact of environmental toxins on hormone health and long-term wellbeing.

Want to learn more? Read the full article here: https://mindd.org/research/10-1016-j-heliyon-2023-e18140/

Acupuncture may help improve hyperactivity, impulsivity, attention, and cognitive performance in children and adolescents with ADHD, according to recent findings.

Researchers found that acupuncture produced similar outcomes to Methylphenidate for conduct and learning difficulties, while showing greater improvements in hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. When combined with behavioural therapy or standard care, acupuncture was also associated with improvements in attention and cognitive task performance.

The review further reported that acupuncture may help reduce common medication-related side effects, including sleep disturbances, reduced appetite, abdominal pain, and constipation.

Have you explored acupuncture as part of an integrative approach to ADHD care? Share your experience in the comments below.

Read the full article here: https://mindd.org/research/10-1016-j-ctim-2025-103163/

Could a gluten-free diet influence autoimmune disease risk?

A new study—analysing genetic data from more than 500,000 people in the UK Biobank —found that individuals with genetic traits associated with following a gluten-free dietary pattern had a lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The findings also suggest that this relationship may be partly linked to changes in immune cells involved in inflammation and immune regulation.

Have you noticed changes in your health after reducing or eliminating gluten? Share your experience in the comments below.

🔗 Read the full article: https://mindd.org/research/10-7150-ijms-104928/

A recent pilot study investigating a medically supervised ketogenic diet in adults with moderate to severe depression observed significant improvements in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and low pleasure and enjoyment scores over the course of the study. The ketogenic diet was reported to be safe, tolerable, and achievable under professional supervision.

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate dietary approach designed to shift the body into ketosis, where ketones become the primary energy source instead of glucose. Proposed mechanisms include changes in brain energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, neurotransmitter activity, and inflammation pathways.

While this was a small pilot study and larger clinical trials are still needed, the findings add to growing interest in nutritional and metabolic approaches within mental health research.

Curious about the research findings? Find the full article here: https://mindd.org/research/10-1016-j-jad-2025-121079/

Regular home cooking may be associated with a lower risk of dementia, according to a large population-based study from Japan.

Researchers found that older adults who cooked meals at least once per week had an approximately 23–27% lower risk of developing dementia over a six-year period compared to those who cooked less frequently. Interestingly, the association was strongest among individuals with lower cooking skills, suggesting that even basic engagement in meal preparation may offer cognitive benefits.

Potential mechanisms include:
- Increased cognitive stimulation
- Maintenance of daily living skills
- Improved diet quality
- Greater independence

These findings add to growing research highlighting the role of everyday lifestyle habits in supporting healthy brain ageing.

Read the full article here: https://mindd.org/research/10-1136-jech-2025-225139/

Nutrition and lifestyle interventions may help reduce treatment-related side effects and improve quality of life in men undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer, according to a recent systematic review.

Across 19 studies, individualised dietary support was associated with improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms, weight management, metabolic health, psychological wellbeing, and overall quality of life during treatment. Researchers also noted that restrictive dietary approaches may carry nutritional risks, highlighting the importance of personalised nutrition support in cancer care.

These findings add to growing interest in the role of integrative nutrition and lifestyle strategies in oncology treatment and recovery.

Read the full article here: https://mindd.org/research/10-1080-01635581-2026-2637661/

A recent study following more than 163,000 adults over 12 years found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with lower bone mineral density and an increased risk of fractures, including hip fractures. Researchers observed stronger associations in adults under 65 and individuals who were underweight, suggesting some groups may be more vulnerable to the long-term effects of diets high in ultra-processed foods.

Possible mechanisms include lower intake of key nutrients important for bone health such as calcium, vitamin D, and protein—alongside higher consumption of additives, sodium, and unhealthy fats commonly found in ultra-processed foods.

These findings add to growing research supporting the role of minimally processed, nutrient-dense foods in maintaining skeletal health and reducing fracture risk over time.

Read the full article: https://mindd.org/research/10-1017-s0007114526106710/

Fermented foods have been consumed for thousands of years, but emerging research is continuing to uncover their potential benefits for gut health.

A recent review and meta-analysis involving 4,328 participants found that fermented food consumption was associated with improvements in gastrointestinal wellbeing in healthy adults. Reported benefits included:

🔷 Improved bowel movement frequency and stool consistency
🔷 Reduced constipation
🔷 Faster intestinal transit time
🔷 Reductions in symptoms such as bloating, abdominal discomfort, and flatulence

Researchers suggest these effects may be linked to the beneficial microorganisms, probiotics, prebiotics, and bioactive compounds naturally found in fermented foods, which may help support the gut microbiota and digestive function.

As modern Western diets continue to shift away from traditional fermented foods, studies like this are helping to highlight the important role nutrition may play in gut and overall health.

Read the full article: https://mindd.org/research/10-3389-fnut-2025-1668889/

Can the foods we eat influence our mental health?

A recent review of 42 randomised controlled trials and 23 systematic reviews found that anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, particularly the Mediterranean diet, were associated with improvements in depressive symptoms. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, and omega-3-rich fish may help support both physical and mental wellbeing.

How might this work?

Emerging research suggests that chronic inflammation may play a role in conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. While inflammation is a natural part of the body's healing process, long-term inflammation has been linked to a range of physical and mental health concerns.

Follow the link to read the full article 🔗 https://mindd.org/research/10-3389-fnut-2026-1795350/

Have you noticed changes in your mood or wellbeing when you improve your diet? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send this post to someone who may find it helpful.

Dietary changes may help support people with Hashimoto’s thyroid disease.

A 12-week study of the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet found improvements in symptoms and wellbeing, alongside changes in thyroid-related markers and weight loss. While some of the observed benefits may have been linked to reduced calorie intake rather than the elimination diet itself, the findings suggest that dietary interventions may play a role in supporting symptom management for some individuals with Hashimoto’s disease.

Read the full article here: https://mindd.org/research/10-26444-aaem-166263/