At the Food and Mood Centre, we’re committed to understanding how your diet can significantly impact your mental health. Our diverse team of experts is dedicated to uncovering which dietary factors influence brain function and overall wellbeing. We aim to translate our groundbreaking research into practical solutions that can improve mental health for everyone.
Led by a team of more than 30 researchers from Deakin’s School of Medicine, our research spans several critical areas to understand the relationship between diet and mental health.
We investigate how nutrients and dietary patterns influence mental health and cognitive function to develop effective, evidence-based strategies for mental health improvement.
We explore how gut health affects brain function and mood, examining the impact of dietary choices on the gut microbiome and mental health.
We research how diet influences cognitive health and ageing, aiming to develop dietary interventions to reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.
We evaluate the impact of specific dietary changes on mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, to provide practical dietary recommendations for mental health care.
Your support is crucial in helping us expand our research and increase its impact on the community. If you’d like to be invited to provide feedback, share your experience on panels and engage in initiatives tailored to community needs, become a Friend of the Food and Mood Centre.
All of our data shows the impact of diet on the brain, immune system and gut microbiome. The fact people can take control of their mental health and help themselves by changing their diet is a very powerful message.
Professor Felice Jacka OAM
Co-director, Food and Mood Centre
The Food and Mood Centre brings together leading experts from across various fields, including microbiology, public health and psychiatry.
Professor Felice Jacka OAM is the co-director of the Food and Mood Centre, president of the International Society for Nutritional Pyschiatry Research and a pioneer in the field of nutritional psychiatry. Awarded an OAM in 2021, her work has shaped and continues to influence global mental health policies.
Professor Adrienne O’Neil is a behavioural scientist specialising in evidence-based lifestyle medicine for mental health and cardiac care. Supported by an NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellowship, she leads research on lifestyle interventions and shared pathways in mental and physical disorders.
Since 2009, our researchers have conducted extensive observational studies to highlight the significant impact of diet on mental health.
Our research delves into how A1 and A2 beta-casein proteins in cow’s milk can influence inflammation, gut health and overall wellness. By uncovering these effects, we aim to reshape dairy recommendations and help you make informed choices.
Though the low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet is well-established for treating epilepsy, its effects on psychotic disorders remain uncertain. This study delves into how this diet may influence and potentially improve psychotic symptoms, aiming to reveal new treatment possibilities.
If you would like to enquire about participating in research trials or contributing to our research programs, please get in touch.
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