Although consumer demand for mind health supplements is rising, brands are still facing major regulatory barriers in the EU when marketing key ingredients such as Ayurvedic herbs, probiotics, cannabidiol (CBD) and mushroom-derived ingredients, due to complex novel food classifications.

Katia Merten-Lentz, a food law expert and partner at Food Law Science and Partners, told NutraIngredients much of this is down to the EU’s strict interpretation of health-claim law.

EU regulations on health claims

EU regulation treats general well-being statements as health claims and prohibits food business operators from using them unless they meet specific conditions, Merten-Lentz explained.

EU regulations strictly control what companies can say about food and mental health. Any claim linking a food or ingredient to health, including cognitive function, stress reduction, mood or overall mental well-being, counts as a health claim.

Companies can only use such claims only if explicitly authorized by the European Commission, based on a scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). In short, any unapproved mental well-being or cognitive claims are prohibited.

What are the authorized health claims?

EFSA has authorized a few very specific claims relating to cognitive function and development, Merten-Lentz said. These include: iodine contributes to normal cognitive function, zinc contributes to normal cognitive function, and iron contributes to the normal cognitive development of children.

However, these claims are only linked to the maintenance of normal mental performance or development, not to enhancement or therapeutic effects, she said.

In relation to stress, only health claims regarding oxidative stress are permitted. These include copper, manganese, selenium and zinc, all of which are allowed to claim “contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress” thanks to scientific substantiation linked to the protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage.

However, there are no authorized claims for “stress” or “mood” improvement. This includes claims on reducing or managing psychological stress, improving mood, enhancing well-being, relaxation or emotional balance.

Ayurvedic herbs

Many mind-health specific supplements in the market use key ingredients such as Ayurvedic botanicals, probiotics, mushroom-derived ingredients and CBD. However, they all have independent hurdles and obstacles to overcome when it comes to health claims.

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, has long used botanicals to support mind health, enhance cognitive function and reduce stress.

Popular Ayurvedic ingredients include: ashwagandha, found to help manage stress and improve cognitive performance; turmeric, containing curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties beneficial for brain health; and brahmi, which has been found to improve memory, concentration and learning capacity.

However, using health claims to promote Ayurvedic herbs remains restricted, as botanical health claims have been on hold since 2010. There is also no clear timeline for resolution, Merten-Lentz noted.

Probiotics

Probiotics can also support mind health because of their role in maintaining gut health, which is closely linked to brain function through the gut-brain axis.

Key probiotic strains for mind health include: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which has been found to reduce anxiety and stress; Bifidobacterium longum, shown to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression; and Bifidobacterium bifidum, which may be effective in improving mood and reducing psychological distress.

However, under EU regulation, the term “probiotics” itself is treated as a health claim, which severely restricts its use on product labels. The EU has approved only one health claim, related to yogurt.

Despite this, national authorities are gradually adopting different interpretations, and more than 10 EU Member States now allow the term probiotics on packaging under varying legal justifications.

According to Merten-Lentz, this represents a glaring systemic issue that only one probiotic health claim was authorized in over 20 years and something the European Commission needs to revise or remove to address the regulatory gap.

Mushrooms

Mushroom-derived ingredients, particularly from medicinal fungi, have also gained popularity for their potential to support mind health. Lion’s Mane has shown cognitive function benefits, cordyceps may enhance energy levels, and chaga may have an indirect effect on mood and mind health.

While they are increasingly popular among formulators and consumers, determining their regulatory status requires analyzing both the ingredient and its production process, adding an additional layer of complexity, Merten-Lentz said. As it stands, no health claim related to mushroom consumption has been authorized to date.

CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant, has shown potential in anxiety and stress reduction, sleep support and cognitive function. However, the once popular ingredient has seen more than its fair share of legal issues.

While it is no longer classified as a narcotic, its regulatory status depends on the specific part of the plant used. For example, hemp seed oil is not novel, but leaf extracts are. Most CBD products are considered novel foods and require authorization; however, EFSA has not ruled on CBD’s safety due to insufficient data.

This complication in regulation is potentially hindering innovation in the CBD supplement space, Merten-Lentz said, noting that it is much easier to innovate when the regulatory framework is clear.

“For now, the safest approach is to only highlight the presence of CBD in the product, relying on consumers to draw their own conclusions about its potential benefits,” she added.

Legal advice to brands in the mind health space

Businesses formulating in the mind health space have almost no flexibility when it comes making health claims, Merten-Lentz said. They can use “general, non-specific claims” but only when these are backed up by an authorized health claim shown clearly on the label.

So, for brands aiming to make mind health claims in the EU, she advised they follow specific strategic steps starting early in product development to avoid costly roadblocks.

First, benchmark existing products to understand what claims have been approved, how they were justified and where competitors have fallen short.

Second, conduct a robust legal analysis of previously authorized health claims to identify regulatory precedents and define a clear strategic pathway for a brand’s own claims.

Third, build up a scientific foundation early by gathering strong, high-quality evidence from the outset to support the claimed effects of the active substance.

Finally, assemble a “dream health claim team” by bringing together top scientific, regulatory and legal experts to craft a compelling dossier “capable of overcoming EFSA’s high evidentiary threshold and reluctance to recognize mind health benefits.”

Green tea has long basked in the wellness spotlight thanks to a reputation for reducing inflammation in the body and, in turn, supporting overall health. It turns out that might not be the drink’s only notable benefit: research published in Frontiers in Public Health recently found the anti-inflammatory effects of green tea also positively influenced mental health. 

The study suggests that long-term green tea consumption helps lower body mass index and boost testosterone levels in middle-aged and older men, while also decreasing their risk of depression by reducing inflammation and enhancing sleep quality. Women also benefit from the advantages, as additional research has found that regular green tea intake reduces their risk of depression by decreasing inflammation and increasing estradiol (the most abundant form of estrogen).

At first thought, you may only associate chronic inflammation with muscle pain and achy joints, but these studies suggest that it also impacts the brain, says Christina Ni, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and interventional psychiatry medical director with Mindpath Health. “Inflammation disrupts how brain cells communicate and lowers levels of ‘well-being’ brain chemicals,” Ni says. “By calming the body’s inflammatory response, green tea helps brain circuits run smoothly, which restores a healthier baseline for both physical and mental well-being.”

In other words, you can’t separate the impact that inflammation has on mental and physical health, says Angelo Falcone, MD, an integrative medicine physician and founder of Dignity Integrative Health and Wellness.

“We’re finally understanding that the brain isn’t floating in isolation, because when the body is inflamed, it’s like having a low-grade fire burning throughout your system,” Falcone explains. “When that smoke gets to the brain, the inflammation disrupts neurotransmitter production, damages brain cells, and interferes with the brain regions that regulate mood.”

So where (and how) does green tea come into play? Here’s what experts want you to know about the beloved beverage. 

How does long-term consumption of green tea support mental health?

“Green tea works through what I call the ‘inflammation-sleep highway,’ because it’s not just one thing that supports mental health — it’s a cascade effect,” Falcone says. Green tea not only reduces systemic inflammation in the body, a known driver of depression, but also improves sleep quality, leading to better mood regulation, Falcone explains. “It’s like fixing the engine and the transmission of a car — you need both working properly to run smoothly.”

Ni seconds this, explaining that green tea is like a daily tune-up for your brain. “With regular consumption, green tea can lower stress and depressive symptoms, smooth out mood swings, and even protect brain cells from wear and tear,” she says. How? By decreasing inflammation, balancing out brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine that promote calmness and well-being, lowering stress hormones, and protecting neurons from damage and oxidative stress (an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants that can lead to cell damage).

Additionally, the study found that green tea drinkers had larger brain volumes and higher testosterone levels — two factors associated with improved mood, energy, and resilience against depression as you age, Ni says.

As for the exact mechanisms at play, here’s a breakdown of green tea’s valuable compounds.

Epigallocatechin gallate

“Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that essentially turns down the volume on your body’s inflammatory response,” Falcone says. This is because the antioxidant properties of EGCG neutralize free radicals (unstable molecules that cause damage to cells and tissues) responsible for cellular damage, ultimately decreasing inflammation and supporting brain health.

L-theanine 

L-theanine is an amino acid that is highly concentrated in green tea and crosses the blood-brain barrier to promote alpha wave activity in the brain, essentially creating a state of relaxed alertness, according to Falcone. The compound also stimulates the production of neurotransmitters such as GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, which regulate mood, attention, and stress responses, Ni adds. 

Polyphenols 

Green tea contains polyphenols, which act as the “cleanup crew for oxidative stress in the brain,” Falcone says. More specifically, polyphenols reduce DNA and cellular damage in the brain by neutralizing free radicals. The powerful compounds also exhibit neuroprotective effects, helping to prevent neuronal cell damage that can lead to mood swings, memory loss, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. 

How can you reap the benefits of green tea?

According to the study, participants who drank at least 500 milliliters — about two standard eight-ounce cups — of green tea daily for a minimum of 20 years experienced the greatest benefits. That may seem like a lot, but that’s the point: The advantages come from consistency — much like exercise. “Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint, because the magic seems to happen when drinking green tea becomes as routine as brushing your teeth,” Falcone says.

As for timing, Ni recommends sipping green tea in the morning or early afternoon. “The gentle caffeine in green tea can provide a lift in focus and mood, while the L-theanine can help even out the ‘jitters’ linked with coffee.” Just avoid green tea close to bedtime, since consuming caffeine too late can interfere with sleep, she advises.

Curious about decaf options? “Decaffeinated green tea is still a health win; it’s just a gentler, calmer version of the original,” Ni says. In fact, decaf green tea retains most of the polyphenols that make it so healthy, and the L-theanine content remains the same, she explains. The only real difference is that you lose a smidge of antioxidant strength and the energizing boost from caffeine.

In moderate amounts, green tea is generally safe for most people, although Ni says that high intake may cause stomach upset or insomnia due to the caffeine. Individuals sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women, and those with liver disease, iron deficiency, or who are taking blood thinners should also consult a doctor before consuming large amounts, as it may interfere with medication and/or iron absorption, she adds.

What are the additional health benefits of green tea?

Aside from improving mental health and emotional resilience, green tea is associated with reduced risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as improved metabolism and modest weight management, Ni says. Research also indicates that green tea could be linked to a lower risk of cancer due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Furthermore, research found that green tea may boost longevity and improve brain health by reducing age-related cognitive decline, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Is there anything a daily cup of green tea can’t do?