Laura Ladekarl, Class of 2025

The food you eat influences not only your physical health but also your mental health, mood, cognition, and behavior, especially when you are undernourished. Food can also play a significant social and emotional role when tied to cultural and religious practices or serving as a coping mechanism. While food plays an important role in emotional and physical wellbeing, researchers questioned if it held the same influence on behavior. , To investigate this, a study was conducted to evaluate the role of food in influencing behavior, specifically in relation to crime reduction, and to explore various ethical and cultural dietary models. Heidari and his colleagues from Islamic Azad University hypothesized that diet affects mood, cognition, and behavior and that culturally informed eating promotes psychological well-being and aids in the reduction of crime. 

The authors conducted a comprehensive literature review, finding 700 studies. These studies were then narrowed down to 92 based on relevance. They then used these studies to examine trends, correlations, and theoretical frameworks on how food components, such as sugar and fat, affect brain function and behavior. 

Based on these articles, the authors found that healthy diets are associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. In contrast, unhealthy diets can lead to poor cognitive function, impulsive behaviors, and increased aggression. Eating behaviors may influence emotional expression, suggesting that individuals with poorer dietary habits struggle more with emotional suppression. A link was also found between gut microbiota and neurotransmitters, which have an impact on mood and behavior. Specific food components have distinct psychological effects; for example, probiotics can improve mood, and herbal extracts can enhance brain health. Individuals who constantly face food insecurity show higher levels of stress, irritability, and aggression. Therefore, educating the public about making healthy eating choices may be a useful crime-reduction strategy. 

There is currently a global rise in mental health issues and crime, which can be reduced by providing education on proper eating habits, which can be used as a low-cost, effective intervention. The modern diet is also turning towards more processed and less nutritious foods, which can have a very negative impact on the population’s future mental health. Further research is needed on how specific components of our diets affect our gut microbiota and, consequently, our brains. More research is also required, however, on how improving nutrition in at-risk populations affects the crime rate and how cultural and spiritual diets can influence individual and community-level well-being. Public health intervention programs should also focus on creating interventions that combine diet and behavioral modifications. 

Figure 1. A slice of bread with a face on it made out of blueberry eyes and a blue macaroni mouth. The background features a sun composed of orange and strawberries cut into heart shapes. 

Works Cited:

[1] Heidari, M., Khodadadi Jokar, Y., Madani, S., Shahi, S., Shahi, M. S., & Goli, M. (2023, August 25). Influence of food type on human psychological-behavioral responses and crime reduction. Nutrients. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10490081/

[2] Image Retrieved From: https://www.pexels.com/photo/loaf-bread-708488/