Culinary Influences on Mental Health: Findings from a Narrative Review

Abstract

Aim: This article investigates the role of nutrition in women’s mental health and highlights the unique biological and psychological factors that affect it across different stages of life. By analysing the effects of key nutrients, dietary patterns, and gender-specific needs, this review aims to close the gap between nutrition and mental health. By examining evidence, this review addresses cultural and regional dietary practices and their implications for mental health. Efforts at international and national levels to improve women’s nutritional status and mental health are also highlighted. Promoting global frameworks such as the SDGs and an integrated national initiative such as Mission Poshan 2.0 can help address the multifaceted challenges that women face. Design: Narrative review. Data sources: PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar; policy and guideline documents from WHO/UN agencies and national portals; peer-reviewed online journals, reputable websites, and standard psychiatry textbooks. Time frame: Publications span 1972–2024, with primary emphasis on 2014–2024 (total span: 52 years). Key findings: The findings underscore that nutrition is a vital factor in supporting mental health, especially in women, who experience unique hormonal challenges and diverse social pressures across the life span. Limitation: This review might not capture all relevant studies, and the evidence is mixed; therefore, the findings should not be read as evidence of cause and effect. Practice implication: This review provides actionable insights for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers, encouraging the integration of routine nutrition screening, brief counselling, and nutrition-focused strategies within women’s mental healthcare pathways, particularly across reproductive life stages, to address modifiable dietary risks and support better outcomes.