Early diet may shape how the teenage brain develops

MedicalXpress | Jun 04, 2026

A major new review led by Swansea University has highlighted growing evidence that diet in the early years of life may shape how well the brain develops, with effects that can still be seen in adolescence. Published in Advances in Nutrition, the paper brings together findings from 73 studies—including 48 controlled trials and 25 prospective studies—to examine how diet affects cognitive performance and academic outcomes in young people aged 8 to 19.