Nourishing the Brain or the Mood? Dietary Omega-3s for Psychological, but Not Cognitive Health

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cris.lastimport.scopus2025-12-31T04:10:16Z
dc.abstract.enBackground: Mood disturbances, often accompanied by cognitive deficits, represent a major public health challenge. Diet is increasingly recognized as a modifiable factor in mental health, with specific nutrients such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) showing therapeutic potential. This study investigated whether dietary omega-3 intake moderates variations in cognitive performance associated with psychological symptoms in non-clinical samples. Method: A total of 313 healthy adults completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess dietary intake. Psychological symptoms were measured using the depression screening questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the stress assessment instrument (PSS-10), while cognitive performance, including short-term and episodic memory, was evaluated using Sternberg and Old/New recognition tests. A subgroup of 52 older adults completed a detailed in-person FFQ to enable the precise quantification of EPA, DHA, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake. Results: Diets rich in omega 3, particularly nuts, seeds, fish and seafood, were associated with lower depression and stress scores. EPA and DHA, but not ALA, were specifically linked to those mood benefits. However, dietary omega-3 intake was not significantly associated with cognitive performance and did not moderate the relationship between mood and memory. Self-reported omega-3 supplementation was linked to fewer depressive symptoms and better episodic memory. Conclusions: While dietary omega-3 is associated with improved well-being, its role in cognition in healthy adults is not well-established and warrants further investigation.
dc.affiliationInstytut Psychologii
dc.affiliationWydział Psychologii w Warszawie
dc.contributor.authorOrłowski, Jakub
dc.contributor.authorKossowska-Wywiał, Maria
dc.contributor.authorBrzezicka, Aneta
dc.date.access2025-12-23
dc.date.accessioned2025-12-30T08:36:49Z
dc.date.available2025-12-30T08:36:49Z
dc.date.created2025-12-20
dc.date.issued2025-12-23
dc.description.abstract<jats:p>Background: Mood disturbances, often accompanied by cognitive deficits, represent a major public health challenge. Diet is increasingly recognized as a modifiable factor in mental health, with specific nutrients such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) showing therapeutic potential. This study investigated whether dietary omega-3 intake moderates variations in cognitive performance associated with psychological symptoms in non-clinical samples. Method: A total of 313 healthy adults completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess dietary intake. Psychological symptoms were measured using the depression screening questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the stress assessment instrument (PSS-10), while cognitive performance, including short-term and episodic memory, was evaluated using Sternberg and Old/New recognition tests. A subgroup of 52 older adults completed a detailed in-person FFQ to enable the precise quantification of EPA, DHA, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intake. Results: Diets rich in omega 3, particularly nuts, seeds, fish and seafood, were associated with lower depression and stress scores. EPA and DHA, but not ALA, were specifically linked to those mood benefits. However, dietary omega-3 intake was not significantly associated with cognitive performance and did not moderate the relationship between mood and memory. Self-reported omega-3 supplementation was linked to fewer depressive symptoms and better episodic memory. Conclusions: While dietary omega-3 is associated with improved well-being, its role in cognition in healthy adults is not well-established and warrants further investigation.</jats:p>
dc.description.accesstimeat_publication
dc.description.grantnumber2021/43/O/HS6/02074
dc.description.granttitleWpływ suplementacji probiotykiem o właściwościach przeciwzapalnych na funkcjonowanie poznawcze osób starszych – moderująca rola wzorca żywieniowego i mikrobioty jelitowej.
dc.description.issue1
dc.description.physical1-14
dc.description.sdgGoodHealthAndWellBeing
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume18
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/nu18010050
dc.identifier.issn2072-6643
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2121
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/1/50
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationpsychologia
dc.rightsCC-BY
dc.rights.questionYes_rights
dc.share.articleOPEN_JOURNAL
dc.subject.enomega-3 fatty acids
dc.subject.endietary patterns
dc.subject.endepression
dc.subject.enstress
dc.subject.enmemory
dc.subject.encognition
dc.subject.enhealthy adults
dc.swps.sciencecloudsend
dc.titleNourishing the Brain or the Mood? Dietary Omega-3s for Psychological, but Not Cognitive Health
dc.title.journalNutrients
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle