Of 'junk food' and 'brain food': how parental diet influences offspring neurobiology and behaviour.

Carina Bodden, Anthony J Hannan, Amy C Reichelt

Journal: Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM 2022;32(8):566-578

PMID: 33941448

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Unhealthy lifestyles and mental health problems are increasingly prevalent globally. Not only are 'junk food'-induced overweight and obesity risk factors for the development of brain disorders but they are also associated intergenerationally with ill health. Here, we reflect on the current knowledge of how maternal and paternal diet influences offspring brain development and behaviour, potentially predisposing children to mental health problems. Mounting evidence indicates diet-induced maternal and paternal programming of infant metabolism and neurobehavioural function, with potential downstream effects on mental health and resilience. Beyond the central nervous system (CNS), the microbiota-gut-brain axis has emerged as an important mediator of host physiology. We discuss how intergenerational seeding of the gut microbiome via parental lineage can influence offspring gut health and neurobiology.

Address: Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.; Department of Medical Sciences, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.04.001

Link outs

Free resources

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/reproductivehazards.html

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

MeSH Terms: Brain, Brain-Gut Axis, Diet, Female, Humans, Male, Maternal Exposure, Neurobiology, Paternal Exposure