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From plant to brain: flavonoids in the management of obesity-associated cognitive dysfunction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2025

Patrícia Berilli Open the ORCID record for Patrícia Berilli [Opens in a new window] ,
Paulo Roberto de Araujo Berni Open the ORCID record for Paulo Roberto de Araujo Berni [Opens in a new window] ,
Laís Zandoná Open the ORCID record for Laís Zandoná [Opens in a new window] ,
Levi Nascimento Bellinazzi Open the ORCID record for Levi Nascimento Bellinazzi [Opens in a new window]  and
Mario Roberto Maróstica Junior Open the ORCID record for Mario Roberto Maróstica Junior [Opens in a new window]
Patrícia Berilli
Affiliation:
Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Paulo Roberto de Araujo Berni
Affiliation:
Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Laís Zandoná
Affiliation:
Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Levi Nascimento Bellinazzi
Affiliation:
Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Mario Roberto Maróstica Junior*
Affiliation:
Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
*
Corresponding author: Mário Roberto Maróstica Junior; Email: mmarosti@unicamp.br
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Abstract

Obesity pathophysiological conditions and obesogenic diet compounds may influence brain function and structure and, ultimately, cognitive processes. Animal models of diet-induced obesity suggest that long-term dietary high fat and/or high sugar may compromise cognitive performance through concomitant peripheral and central disturbances. Some indicated mechanisms underlying this relationship are discussed here: adiposity, dyslipidaemia, inflammatory and oxidative status, insulin resistance, hormonal imbalance, altered gut microbiota and integrity, blood–brain barrier dysfunction, apoptosis/autophagy dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, vascular disturbances, cerebral protein aggregates, impaired neuroplasticity, abnormal neuronal network activity and neuronal loss. Mechanistic insights are vital for identifying potential preventive and therapeutic targets. In this sense, flavonoids have gained attention due to their abundant presence in vegetable and other natural sources, their comparatively negligible adverse effects and their capacity to cross the blood–brain barrier promptly. In recent years, interventions with flavonoid sources have proven to be efficient in restoring cognitive impairment related to obesity. Its modulatory effects occur directly and indirectly into the brain, and three fronts of action are highlighted here: (1) restoring physiological processes altered in obesity; (2) promoting additional neuroprotection to the endogenous system; and (3) improving neuroplasticity mechanisms that improve cognitive performance itself. Therefore, flavonoid consumption is a promising alternative tool for managing brain health and obesity-related cognitive impairment.

Keywords

anthocyaninscognitioncognitive impairmentdiabetes mellitushigh-fat diet

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Type
Review Article
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Nutrition Research Reviews , First View , pp. 1 - 25
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© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

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