A healthy diet, with the right amount of beneficial nutrients, can make a huge difference in symptoms in children with ADHD.

Experts have said that for years. But more and more evidence confirms that view.

Three recent studies that focused on 134 children with ADHD underline in various ways the benefits of good nutrition.

One study reported on what parents of the 134 children answered in detailed questions about what their children ate over a 90-day period. The study, from researchers at The Ohio State University, showed that children who consumed more fruits and vegetables had less pronounced symptoms of inattention than children who consumed less fruits and vegetables.

Another analysis of the same 134 children evaluated the effectiveness of supplements with a micronutrient blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. The analysis showed that children who took the micronutrient supplements were three times more likely to show improvement in symptoms of ADHD — including symptoms of emotional dysregulation — than children who took a placebo. “Emotional dysregulation” symptoms included symptoms like chronic irritability, angry moods and outbursts of anger.

And finally, a third study of the same 134 children, published in the journal Nutrients, showed that kids who came from families dealing with food insecurity were more likely have significant emotional dysregulation symtpoms.

In a blogpost from last year, ADHD Online explored more deeply a wide range of research on nutrition and ADHD symptoms in children. You can learn more about what we found on the benefits of good nutrition in children with ADHD.