Phytochemicals and Cognitive Resilience: Bridging Epidemiological Evidence and Mechanistic Insights in Non-Western Populations

As the global population ages, the rising prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders and age-related cognitive impairment poses a significant challenge to public health systems worldwide. Emerging research suggests that phytochemicals—non-nutritive bioactive compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and particularly in diverse herbs and medicinal plants—offer promising neuroprotective potential. This Research Topic aims to consolidate the latest advancements in understanding how these natural compounds can be leveraged to preserve cognitive function and delay the onset of dementia, with a dedicated focus on underrepresented non-Western cohorts.Recent large-scale epidemiological studies have highlighted correlations between the dietary intake of specific phytochemical subclasses—most notably flavonoids, β-carotenoids, and other polyphenols—and a significantly reduced risk of cognitive impairment. This neuroprotective effect is consistently observed across various metrics, including the lower incidence of all-cause dementia, delayed subjective cognitive decline, and improved performance in objective neuropsychological assessments. However, existing evidence is predominantly derived from European and American populations. This geographical bias leads to a critical lack of representation regarding the unique dietary patterns and phytochemical sources—such as those found in Asian, African, and Latin American diets. Furthermore, effectively translating observational findings into definitive clinical practice requires a more rigorous exploration across diverse populations, with potential modification of effect due to differences in gut microbiota, genetic polymorphisms, and epigenetics.This Research Topic focuses on bridging the gap between diverse population-based evidence and mechanistic exploration. We invite original research articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that address, but are not limited to, the following areas:• Epidemiological Insights in Diverse Populations: Prospective cohort studies and cross-sectional analyses investigating the association between phytochemical intake and cognitive performance, with priority given to studies involving non-Western ethnicities to increase the representativeness of global food sources.• Molecular Mechanisms: Research exploring how phytochemicals modulate neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, proteostasis (e.g., Aβ and tau clearance), synaptic plasticity, and the gut–brain axis.• Bioavailability and Metabolism: Studies focusing on the pharmacokinetics of bioactive compounds in the aging brain, particularly how inter-individual and inter-ethnic variations in gut microbiota influence metabolite neuroactivity.• Clinical and Community Interventions: Results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of phytochemical supplementation or culturally-tailored enriched diets on cognitive domains across diverse populations.By integrating multi-disciplinary perspectives and expanding the ethnic scope of research, this collection seeks to provide a comprehensive roadmap for the development of inclusive, phytochemical-based nutritional strategies to promote brain health and combat neurodegeneration globally. Topic editors: Hui Chen, Yaying Cao, Jing Song Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79977/phytochemicals-and-cognitive-resilience-bridging-epidemiological-evidence-and-mechanistic-insights-in-non-western-populations