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Adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and neuropsychiatric disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

1 June 2026

Wang Y, Li Z, Wu Z, Hu W, Wu H, Hu Y, Ju Y, Zhang Y.

Summary

What the study found

This meta-analysis of 28 studies investigated how closely following the EAT-Lancet diet—a plant-forward eating pattern designed for planetary health—affects brain and mental health. The results suggest that individuals who most strictly follow this diet have a significantly lower risk of developing depression, anxiety, stroke, and dementia.

Key findings

  • Higher adherence to the diet was associated with a 24% lower risk of depression and an 18% lower risk of anxiety.
  • Participants showed a 16% reduction in stroke risk and a 4% reduction in dementia risk when following the dietary guidelines.
  • The research found no significant association between the diet and global cognitive function scores.
  • The benefits likely stem from the diet's high concentration of anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and limited intake of processed foods.

Practical takeaways

Transitioning toward a diet centered on whole grains, legumes, nuts, and vegetables while minimizing red meat and sugar may offer protective benefits for both mental health and brain longevity. Because this eating pattern supports both environmental sustainability and neurological health, it represents a high-value strategy for health-conscious individuals.

Limitations

The certainty of evidence is currently rated as low to very low because the findings are based on observational data rather than controlled clinical trials. This means researchers cannot yet confirm a direct causal relationship between the diet and the prevention of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Abstract

Neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs) are a leading cause of disability worldwide. The predominantly plant-based EAT-Lancet diet has been proposed to confer neuropsychiatric benefits, yet evidence remains limited. This study synthesized associations between adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and neuropsychiatric outcomes. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global through September 4, 2025. Observational studies reporting associations between EAT-Lancet adherence and NPDs were included. Binary outcomes were pooled as hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs), and continuous outcomes as regression coefficients (β). Subgroup, sensitivity, and publication-bias analyses were performed. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework (GRADE). Twenty-two cohort and six cross-sectional studies were included. Higher adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was associated with lower risks of depression (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.71-0.81), anxiety (OR 0.82; 0.76-0.89), stroke (HR 0.84; 0.76-0.92), and dementia (HR 0.96; 0.93-1.00), whereas no significant association was observed for global cognitive function (β 0.02; -0.01 to 0.06). Sensitivity analyses supported robustness. Certainty of evidence was very low for anxiety, depression, and cognition, and low for stroke and dementia. Greater adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was associated with lower risks of depression, anxiety, stroke, and dementia. However, given the low certainty of evidence, findings should be interpreted cautiously. Further large prospective studies and randomized controlled trials are warranted to improve evidence quality and clarify the potential role of the EAT-Lancet diet in neuropsychiatric disease prevention.
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