Researchers studied data from over 150 countries between 1990 and 2018 to understand how food environments affect ADHD rates. They found that countries where people eat more plant-based fats (like oils from nuts, seeds, and plants) tend to have lower rates of ADHD in both children and adults. The study suggests that what’s available to eat in your community might play a role in ADHD risk. However, scientists still need to do more research to understand exactly how plant-based fats might protect against ADHD and whether changing your diet could actually prevent or reduce ADHD symptoms.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the types of fats available in different countries’ food supplies are connected to how many people have ADHD
  • Who participated: This wasn’t a study of individual people. Instead, researchers looked at health data and food information from more than 150 countries over 28 years (1990-2018)
  • Key finding: Countries where plant-based fats are more available in the food supply tend to have fewer people diagnosed with ADHD. This pattern held true for both boys and girls, and across different age groups
  • What it means for you: This suggests that eating more plant-based fats might be helpful for ADHD, but this is early-stage research. Don’t change your diet based on this alone—talk to your doctor first. This finding is interesting but needs more testing before doctors can recommend it as an ADHD treatment

The Research Details

Scientists collected information about ADHD rates, the types of foods available, and wealth levels (GDP) from more than 150 countries over nearly 30 years. They used special computer models to look for patterns—specifically, whether countries with more plant-based fats in their food supply had different ADHD rates than countries with less. They looked at data separately for men and women, and for different age groups, to see if the pattern stayed the same. The researchers also checked whether other factors (like total calories available) might explain the results instead.

Most previous studies looked at individual nutrients or what one person eats. This study is different because it looks at the big picture—what foods are actually available in entire countries. This ‘food environment’ approach helps us understand how society-wide food choices might affect brain health. By studying many countries over a long time, researchers can spot patterns that might not show up in smaller studies.

This study used data from a large number of countries over many years, which is a strength. However, because it’s looking at country-level data rather than tracking individual people, we can’t say for certain that eating more plant-based fats will help a specific person with ADHD. The researchers did check whether other factors might explain the results, which is good scientific practice. More research is needed to confirm these findings and understand how plant-based fats might actually help the brain.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that countries with higher amounts of plant-based fats available in their food supply had lower rates of ADHD diagnoses. This connection was consistent whether researchers looked at men or women, and whether they looked at children or adults. The pattern remained even when scientists accounted for the total amount of calories available in each country. Plant-based fats include oils from sources like olives, nuts, seeds, and avocados. The study found this protective association was stronger for plant-based fats than for animal-based fats. The researchers also found that a country’s wealth (GDP) played a role in this relationship, suggesting that socioeconomic factors and food environment work together to influence ADHD rates.

The study found that the relationship between fats and ADHD was consistent across different regions of the world and held up over the entire 28-year study period. The protective effect of plant-based fats appeared to be independent of total energy (calorie) supply, meaning it wasn’t just about having more food available overall. The researchers noted that this finding aligns with previous research showing that ketogenic diets (which are high in fats) may help improve ADHD symptoms in some people.

Earlier research has mostly focused on single nutrients or specific diets in individual people. This study adds to that knowledge by showing a connection at the population level across many countries. Previous studies have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and certain vitamins might help with ADHD. This research suggests that the overall availability of plant-based fats in a food environment may be important too. The findings support the idea that diet and food environment are important factors in ADHD, not just genetics.

This study looked at countries as a whole, not individual people, so we can’t say that eating more plant-based fats will definitely help a specific person with ADHD. The study shows a connection between plant-based fat availability and ADHD rates, but it doesn’t prove that one causes the other—other factors we don’t know about could explain the pattern. The study used data from 1990-2018, so it doesn’t include more recent information. Researchers couldn’t control for all possible factors that might affect ADHD rates, like access to healthcare or differences in how ADHD is diagnosed in different countries. The study doesn’t explain the exact biological reason why plant-based fats might help protect against ADHD.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, it’s too early to recommend changing your diet specifically to prevent or treat ADHD. However, eating more plant-based fats as part of a healthy diet is generally considered good for overall health. If you or someone you know has ADHD, talk to a doctor or registered dietitian before making major dietary changes. They can help determine if dietary changes might be helpful for your specific situation. This research suggests plant-based fats may be worth studying further as a potential tool for ADHD management, but more research is needed first.

This research is interesting for parents concerned about ADHD prevention, people with ADHD looking for additional management strategies, and healthcare providers thinking about how food environments affect brain health. However, people with ADHD should not rely on diet alone as a treatment—ADHD typically requires professional medical care. People in countries with limited access to plant-based fats may find this research less immediately applicable, though it highlights the importance of food access in health.

If dietary changes were to help with ADHD, benefits would likely take weeks to months to appear, not days. However, this is still theoretical based on this research. Any changes should be made gradually and monitored with a healthcare provider.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily intake of plant-based fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocados, plant-based oils) in grams or servings, along with weekly ADHD symptom ratings (focus, impulse control, restlessness) on a 1-10 scale to look for personal patterns over 8-12 weeks
  • Start by adding one plant-based fat source to meals daily—for example, a handful of nuts as a snack, olive oil on salads, or seeds in smoothies—and log it in the app to build awareness of intake
  • Create a weekly dashboard showing plant-based fat intake trends alongside self-reported focus and attention levels, allowing users to identify if their personal symptoms correlate with dietary patterns over time

This research shows a connection between plant-based fats in food environments and ADHD rates at a country level, but it does not prove that eating more plant-based fats will prevent or treat ADHD in individuals. ADHD is a complex condition that typically requires professional medical diagnosis and treatment. Do not use this information to replace medical advice from a doctor or mental health professional. If you or someone you know has ADHD symptoms, consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment options. Any dietary changes should be discussed with a doctor or registered dietitian, especially for children or people currently taking ADHD medications.