Cited by 66Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderNutritional Studies and DietChild Nutrition and Feeding Issues

Eating Patterns and Dietary Interventions in ADHD: A Narrative Review

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Pinto, Sofia, Correia-de-Sá, Teresa, Sampaio-Maia, Benedita, Vasconcelos, Carla, Moreira, Pedro, Ferreira-Gomes, Joana·2022·Nutrients

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood, affecting ~7% of children and adolescents. Given its adverse health outcomes and high healthcare and societal costs, other treatment options beyond pharmacotherapy have been explored. Case-control studies have shown that dietary patterns may influence the risk of ADHD, and specific dietary interventions have been proposed as coadjuvant treatments in this disorder. These include nutritional supplements, gut microbiome-targeted interventions with biotics, and elimination diets. The purpose of this review is to examine which dietary patterns are most associated with ADHD and to summarize the existing evidence for the clinical use of dietary interventions. The literature showed that non-healthy dietary patterns were positively associated with ADHD, whereas healthy patterns were negatively associated. As for nutritional supplements, only vitamin D and vitamin D + magnesium appeared to improve ADHD symptoms when baseline levels of vitamin D were insufficient/deficient. Regarding biotics, evidence was only found for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and for multi-species probiotic supplementation. Elimination diets have scarce evidence and lead to nutritional deficiencies, so caution is advised. Overall, more robust scientific evidence is required for these dietary interventions to be implemented as part of ADHD therapy.

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  • Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) support neuronal membrane fluidity and synaptic plasticity, which are crucial for cognitive control and attention regulation.

    “These nutrients support neuronal membrane fluidity and synaptic plasticity, both crucial for cognitive control and attention regulation [179].”

    From ADHD in Adulthood: Clinical Presentation, Comorbidities, and Treatment Perspectives (2025) · cites this paper as [179]

    The review’s “Foods, Food Groups, and Nutrients” section says PUFAs are crucial for optimal neurotransmitter function. Its “PUFA Supplementation” section also reports some findings concerning ADHD symptoms and inattention. Neither passage establishes that EPA and DHA support neuronal membrane fluidity or synaptic plasticity, or links those mechanisms to cognitive control and attention regulation. (LLM, conf=0.78)

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Authors
Pinto, S., Correia-de-Sá, T., Sampaio-Maia, B., Vasconcelos, C., Moreira, P., & Ferreira-Gomes, J.
Affiliations
  • Universidade do Porto (PT)
  • INEB—Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
  • Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Corresponding author
Moreira, Pedro
Venue
Nutrients
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-10-16
Volume
14
Issue
20
Pages
4332
ISSN
2072-6643 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4306399084
Cited by
66
References
112
Citations by year
2026: 24 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 8
FWCI
1.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nutrients (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Keywords
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dietary habits, dietary intervention, dietary supplements, vitamin D, magnesium, probiotics, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, gut microbiota, elimination diet, nutritional deficiency, ADHD risk factors
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Feeding Behavior, Humans, Magnesium, Vitamin D, Dietary Supplements

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