In today’s fast-paced world, mealtimes often feel more of a rushed necessity than an experience to be savoured. Yet developing a deeper connection with food can transform our physical and mental wellbeing, with multiple studies – including 2024 research by the University of Warwick, UK – finding that the foods we choose can affect mood, focus and long-term brain health.
To explore this further, head to Audible’s collection of insightful books on the topic.
In Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, Dr Peter Attia emphasises the role of nutrition in both lifespan and cognitive health, and the need for proactive dietary choices.
“A good night of sleep may depend in part on a good day of wakefulness: one that includes exercise, some outdoor time, sensible eating (no late-night snacking), minimal to no alcohol, proper management of stress and knowing where to set boundaries around work and other life stressors,” says Dr Attia.
How we engage with food also matters. Rather than chasing trends, How Superfoods Work by Julia Nordgren demystifies nutrient-dense foods, offering a science-backed approach to what truly fuels us.
BBC Studios’ Hack Your Body, Heal Your Mind, meanwhile, takes a holistic view, exploring how small, daily choices – what we eat, how we move and how we rest – cumulatively impact both physical and emotional wellbeing.
In the title, psychologist Kimberley Wilson delves into the deep connection between physical actions and mental wellbeing, asking, “Have you ever noticed that when you do something positive to your body, your mood lifts too?”
Wilson also highlights how eating brightly coloured plant foods has a bigger effect on your brain and mood than you might realise, reinforcing the strong link between diet and mental wellbeing.
Dr Joanna McMillan delves deeper into this notion in Mindfull: What to Eat for a Better Brain, examining how diet can shape cognitive performance, emotional resilience and even long-term neurological health.
Dr McMillan explains how gut health affects focus and stress responses and explores the impact of refined sugars, ultra-processed foods and meal timing on energy and concentration. Her insights make a compelling case for a diet that supports both brain function and overall health.