BrainBITE

What’s the problem?

What we eat and how we feel are closely connected. A healthier diet can improve mood and wellbeing. However, at the moment, the NHS rarely offers diet-based support as a treatment or prevention option for mental health difficulties.

Why are we doing this research?

We want to understand what kinds of diet support people would find helpful. Our long-term goal is to develop diet-based programmes that could support psychological wellbeing.

What does the research involve?

We’re running a survey for anyone aged 14 or over in the UK who has ever experienced low mood, stress, anxiety, sleep problems, or any mental health, neurodevelopmental, or behavioural condition - whether diagnosed or not. We also want to hear from family members, carers, and health professionals who support these individuals.

How will this help?

Your feedback will guide future research and help us design diet-based interventions that could be tested in NHS settings. It will also help us build a list of people interested in taking part in future studies, making it easier to recruit volunteers.

Click here to complete the BrainBITE survey!

Patients living with dementia often struggle to drink enough fluids, leaving them at risk of dehydration. This not only affects their health but can also significantly reduce their quality of life.

The AQUA study intends to explore whether a confectionery product could help support hydration in dementia care. The product, Jelly Drops™, is made up of 95% water, as well as minerals. They are sugar-free, vegan, and specifically designed to encourage fluid intake in people with dementia.

Our aim is to understand whether patients find Jelly Drops™ an acceptable way to stay hydrated, and whether their families agree. We also want to see whether we will be able to collect the data we need to test their effectiveness in a future trial. If this study and further research proves successful, Jelly Drops™ could become a valuable tool in improving patient care and addressing the challenges of dehydration in dementia.

Interested in taking part? 

Ask a member of the Ward Team for more information. 

The FAMISH study is looking at whether an online 'food and mood' learning course is helpful and suitable for people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. The course focuses on how what we eat and drink can affect how we feel, our mood, and our overall wellbeing. The aim is to find out whether people find the course useful, easy to use, and acceptable as part of supporting mental health. The course is based on an existing programme developed by the Food and Mood Centre at Deakin University in Australia.

Who can take part?

People aged 16 or over who have a diagnosed mental health condition will be invited to take part. Those who join the study will complete an online questionnaire before starting the course, take part in the online learning over up to 12 weeks, and then complete another questionnaire at the end. The course includes short readings and videos and helps people learn more about healthy eating and how it may support mental health. Support will be available during the study, and taking part is completely voluntary.

This is an early study, which means it is designed to see if the course works well in practice and whether people find it helpful, rather than to prove medical benefits. What participants tell us will help decide whether a larger study should be done in the future.

How can I find out more? 

Email charlotte.damms@nhs.net for more information.