Cytokines are small signaling molecules of soluble glycoproteins released by immune cells and various other cells. They regulate immune response, support cell-to-cell communication and coordination, and trigger the migration of immune cells at the site of infection or inflammation. Some examples of cytokines include tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferons, and interleukins (Dinarello, 2000).

Cytotoxic T-cells are a type of T-cell that directly attacks and destroys infected or abnormal cells. They play a crucial role in the immune system’s defense against viruses and certain types of cancer.

The Default Mode Network (DMN) refers to a network of brain regions that are typically active when an individual is at rest or not focused on the external environment. These regions are involved in self-referential thoughts, introspection, and daydreaming.

Delirium is a neurocognitive disorder characterized by an acute change in mental status associated with changes in attention, consciousness, and cognitive performance (Flaherty, 2007).

Dementia is an umbrella category of neurocognitive disorders characterized by a progressive and chronic decline in cognitive functioning that impairs a person’s ability to function (Gamir-Morralla et al., 2017).

Depression is a clinically significant mood disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness, a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities (anhedonia), and diminished energy. Diagnostic criteria typically include additional symptoms, such as changes in sleep, appetite, and psychomotor activity, as well as cognitive impairments, such as diminished concentration or recurrent thoughts of death, which significantly disrupt daily functioning and quality of life.

Descriptive social norms reflect what most group members actually do (i.e., ‘most young people eat less than the recommended amount of vegetables’). Thus, a descriptive norm involves one’s perception of what most others actually do.

Developmental programming is based on the premise that early life experiences can have long-term effects on health and disease risk. It refers to the process by which environmental factors during critical periods of development, such as prenatal or early postnatal life, shape the structure and function of organs and tissues, influencing the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life.

The sensory-perceptual aspects of our diet-related experience, including sight, smell, taste, and sound that influence our dietary intake.

The Diet-Mental Health Relationship (DMHR) is an umbrella term used within the field of nutritional psychology. It represents a multifaceted concept serving as a conceptual framework encompassing the intricate and multidirectional links between dietary habits and psychological well-being. It involves the influence of food choices on psychological, cognitive, behavioral, interoceptive, sensory-perceptual, and psychosocial processes that impact our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and experiences.