In various studies from 2013 to 2023, researchers like those from the University of Manchester and NBER analyzed data from thousands of retirees in cohort and longitudinal setups. They tracked health changes post-retirement, focusing on cognitive, physical, and mental aspects, adjusting for age, job type, and voluntary status.

Two 2025 studies in Frontiers in Nutrition show that probiotics do much more than just aid digestion—they can improve mental clarity, reduce inflammation, and support healthy weight and immune function for nearly everyone.

A 2025 review in Nutrients by Zhang dives into the crucial roles selenium plays in our bodies. As a key part of selenoproteins, this micronutrient helps balance redox reactions, regulate cell growth, support the immune system, and guard against DNA damage, chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and neurodegeneration.

Creatine’s known benefits for muscle energy appear to extend to the brain—boosting cognitive function via enhanced cellular energy supply. The memory improvements were consistent across sexes and independent of body composition changes, suggesting creatine supports brain performance directly.

Magnesium is far more than a mineral—it’s a crucial brain-and-mood regulator. A 2025 comprehensive review in Nutrients by Varga et al. shows that low magnesium is linked to depression, migraine, Alzheimer’s, and cognitive decline.

Ashwagandha, a powerful herb used in traditional medicine, has been shown in a 2025 review to help reduce stress, fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. It also supports better sleep and sharper mental focus, boosting overall feelings of well-being—even for older adults aged 60–85.

A 2025 meta-analysis in Nutrients reviewed data from over 1.5 million individuals and found that consuming energy drinks was associated with a significantly increased risk of both suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts. The risk rose with frequency: those drinking 21–30 energy drinks per month had nearly triple the odds of attempting suicide compared to non-consumers.

A 2025 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher intakes of black tea, berries, citrus fruits, and apples were linked to a lower risk of frailty, physical decline, and poor mental health in older adults. Women with the highest flavonoid intake had up to a 15% lower risk of frailty.