The effects of diet on cognitive function in college students with and without ADHD

College students often report unhealthy eating resulting in potentially negative impacts on cognitive performance. The objective of this study was to assess the association with diet quality in college students, with and without ADHD, and cognitive function. The effect of a nutritionally balanced breakfast shake on cognitive function was examined in both groups. All participants (n=51) completed a 3-day food journal and a computerized cognitive function assessment pre- and one-hour post consumption of a nutritionally balanced breakfast shake.

After stratification, subjects with and without ADHD were similar in their distribution of diet assessed by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). There was a negative association between HEI and cognitive function in those with ADHD and no association in those without ADHD. Similar improvements were seen in psychomotor speed, processing speed, and executive function for both groups, while those without ADHD also had significant improvements in cognitive flexibility and motor speed. This study suggests that diet quality affects college students with and without ADHD differently. However, a nutritionally balanced breakfast shake appears to improve cognitive function in both groups.