Role of Antioxidant-Rich Diets in Cognitive and Motor Recovery Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a leading source of chronic neurological disability, frequently leading to deficits in memory, attention, cognition, coordination, and motor function. Rehabilitation programs aim to restore functional independence, but oxidative stress remains a major barrier to neuronal recovery and plasticity. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other forms of neurological trauma are strongly associated with oxidative stress, a condition in which excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals damage neurons, lipids, and DNA. This oxidative burden contributes to secondary injury cascades, worsening outcomes beyond the initial trauma. Antioxidants play a promising role in mitigating the effects of brain injury by counteracting oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and supporting neural recovery. Consumption of antioxidant-rich diets, comprising vitamins C and E, polyphenols, carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids, has been associated with potential for mitigating secondary neurodegeneration and improving recovery outcomes. Emerging evidence supports that antioxidant-based nutritional interventions can facilitate neural plasticity, suppress inflammatory pathways, and enhance rehabilitation outcomes in motor and cognitive domains. This article explores the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of integrating antioxidant-rich diets with physiotherapy and cognitive rehabilitation following TBI.