Food for the Brain

What Food for the Brain does

Food for the Brain Foundation is a UK-registered charity (Charity No: 1116438) and company limited by guarantee (Company No: 5885305) founded in 2005 and headquartered in London. Its stated function is the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and support of mental wellbeing through nutrition and lifestyle interventions. The organisation serves three core constituencies: individuals concerned about cognitive decline (particularly those aged 50+), health professionals seeking nutrition-based protocols, and organisations seeking workplace wellbeing or catering accreditation services.

The product and technology stack is centred on the free online Cognitive Function Test, which assesses episodic memory, executive function and attention, generates a Dementia Risk Index (DRIfT) score, and feeds the personalised COGNITION Programme covering eight evidence-based risk domains. Supporting assets include the COGNITION Biobank (cognitive, nutritional and lifestyle data from 409,996 test-takers), home blood test kits measuring homocysteine, Omega-3, Vitamin D, HbA1c and glutathione, an Upgrade Your Brain CookApp, the COGNITION for Smart Kids & Teens programme, the Brain Bio Centre nutritional therapy clinic, and an emerging cognitive health assistant branded 'Albi'. The charity runs clinical research collaborations with Oxford University, including the READ OUT blood biomarker trial (>4,000 participants) targeting NHS pathway integration and the DRIfT trial focused on early-life dementia risk prediction.

Commercially, Food for the Brain operates a diversified non-profit revenue model spanning charitable donations, the FRIEND recurring membership subscription (six-month minimum), COGNITION programme subscriptions, multi-stage catering accreditation contracts (with annual audits), direct sales of branded nutritional supplements (Omega-3, B vitamins, phospholipids, Vitamin D, antioxidants, MCTs, Smart Kids), paid masterclasses and webinars, and book/blood test kit product sales. Distribution is hybrid: digital self-serve globally for the free CFT and paid subscriptions, organisational partnership enrolment via [email protected] for enterprise deployment, and direct corporate sales for workplace wellbeing and accreditation services concentrated in the UK. Named enterprise customers include the Universities of Edinburgh, Leeds and Royal Holloway, caterers Vacherin and Amadeus Food, and venue operators including Imperial War Museums North and the ICC.

Name

Food for the Brain

Legal name

Food for the Brain Foundation

Website

https://foodforthebrain.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UK registered charity founded in 2005 that prevents Alzheimer's and supports mental health through nutrition and lifestyle interventions, serving individuals, health professionals and organisations via a digital platform of cognitive testing, supplements, education and corporate wellbeing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dementia Prevention Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Community Food Services (62421)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthy Aging & Cognitive Support Supplements (CRADAGAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Meal Preparation & Nutrition Support (Non-Medical) (HSABAAAC)

Keywords

• Dementia prevention nutrition
• Cognitive health assessment
• Brain health supplements
• Corporate wellness programmes
• Citizen science research

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The charity accepts charitable donations to support its educational and research activities. Regular giving programme called 'Become a FRIEND' offers membership privileges.
2. Membership Subscriptions: COGNITION programme and FRIEND membership provide subscriber privileges. Monthly payment plans require minimum six-month commitment; annual payment plans available.
3. Catering Accreditation Services: Three-stage accreditation programme for food service operators including assessment, action plan implementation, and annual audits. Provides competitive differentiation for caterers.
4. Products and Supplements: Sale of blood test kits, books, and supplements including Omega-3, homocysteine-lowering B vitamins, phospholipids, Vitamin D, and Smart Kids supplements.
5. Educational Content and Masterclasses: Online educational resources, webinars, and masterclasses for health professionals and individuals on nutrition and mental health topics.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Food for the Brain is a non-profit charity that delivers a free online Cognitive Function Test, a personalised COGNITION dementia-prevention programme across eight risk domains, home blood test kits, brain-health supplements, and a children's cognitive nutrition programme. It also runs catering accreditation for food-service operators and workplace-wellbeing seminars for employers. Revenue is generated through donations, membership subscriptions, consumer product sales, and B2B accreditation and wellness fees.

Product overview

Food for the Brain operates as a non-profit educational and research charity offering a unified platform of cognitive health products and services centred on dementia prevention through nutrition and lifestyle intervention. The core offerings include the free Cognitive Function Test, which generates a Dementia Risk Index (DRIfT) score, and the COGNITION Programme—a personalized 8-domain prevention programme that provides actionable guidance based on test results. Supporting the programme are home Blood Test Kits for biomarker assessment (homocysteine, Omega-3, Vitamin D), the Upgrade Your Brain CookApp for recipe guidance, and the COGNITION for Smart Kids & Teens programme for children's cognitive health. The organisation also provides corporate wellness services including Catering Accreditation and Workplace Wellbeing Programmes, as well as educational Masterclasses and a FRIEND subscription membership. A COGNITION Biobank supports ongoing citizen science research. All offerings are grounded in evidence-based research on homocysteine, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and nutrition-related biomarkers for Alzheimer's prevention.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• COGNITION: A personalized brain health programme based on 8 domains of risk for preventing Alzheimer's disease
• Cognitive Function Test
• COGNITION Biobank
• DRIfT
• Smart Kids

Products and services

• Cognitive Function Test Free online assessment tool that measures episodic memory, executive function, and attention to identify cognitive decline and dementia risk, generating personalised dietary and lifestyle recommendations.
• COGNITION Programme Subscription-based personalised dementia prevention programme that addresses eight domains of cognitive risk, including diet, B vitamins, exercise, sleep, gut health, and antioxidants, guided by Cognitive Function Test results.
• COGNITION Biobank International research initiative collecting nutrition, lifestyle, and cognitive data to identify effective dementia prevention strategies through citizen science, with data from over 409,000 test completers.
• Blood Test Kits Home blood test kits measuring biomarkers including homocysteine, Omega-3 index, Vitamin D, HbA1c, and glutathione to assess dementia risk factors and personalise the COGNITION Programme.
• Upgrade Your Brain CookApp Recipe and cooking application providing brain-healthy recipes aligned with the COGNITION Programme's dietary recommendations.
• COGNITION for Smart Kids & Teens Cognitive health programme for children and teenagers addressing nutrition for learning, dyslexia, ADHD, and autism, with specialised content and supplements.
• Brain Bio Centre Specialised nutritional therapy clinic providing personalised brain-health consultations and testing services to individuals seeking clinical-level nutritional support.
• Catering Accreditation Three-stage accreditation programme for food service operators and caterers, including assessment, action plan implementation, and annual audits, demonstrating commitment to preparing food that supports mental wellbeing and brain health.
• Workplace Wellbeing Programme Nutrition and lifestyle seminars delivered to organisations covering topics such as Food and Mood, Stress Management, and Fatigue reduction to support employee mental wellbeing.
• Brain Health Supplements (B Vitamins, Omega-3, Phospholipids, Vitamin D, Antioxidants, MCTs, Smart Kids supplements) Range of supplements sold directly through the charity's e-commerce store, including homocysteine-lowering B vitamins, EPA/DHA omega-3, phospholipids, Vitamin D, antioxidants, MCTs, and Smart Kids supplements, all formulated to address nutritional risk factors for cognitive decline.
• Alzheimer's Prevention Masterclass Online educational programme providing in-depth training on dementia prevention through nutrition and lifestyle modifications for health professionals and informed consumers.
• FRIEND Membership Recurring charitable subscription membership offering ongoing access to educational content, resources, and community support for brain health maintenance.

Quantifiable outcome

• B vitamin supplementation reduced brain atrophy by 53% in those with highest homocysteine levels
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Oxford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 November 2025Oxford leads the UK-based READ OUT blood biomarker trial using Food for the Brain's Cognitive Function Test to improve dementia diagnosis. The project aims to integrate blood tests into NHS pathways and explore nutrition-related biomarkers to predict and prevent dementia. Over 4,000 people have joined the study.
• Oxford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing research collaboration on DRIfT trial developing and testing blood biomarkers for predicting and preventing dementia from age 18. Trials involve blood tests and lifestyle assessments to identify early risk factors for Alzheimer's.
• Professor David Smith (University of Oxford)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey researcher and member of Scientific Advisory Board leading vitamin B research showing 53% reduction in brain atrophy through homocysteine lowering. Oxford VITACOG trial demonstrated disease-modifying effects.
• Dr Tommy Wood (University of Washington)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssistant Professor of Neuroscience leading research initiative to determine which diet and lifestyle habits protect against cognitive decline using anonymised questionnaire data.
• NHSflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerREAD OUT trial aims to integrate blood biomarker testing into NHS pathways for dementia diagnosis, potentially establishing new standard of care for early detection and prevention.
• Professor David Smith (Scientific Advisory Board)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey Scientific Advisory Board member contributing research on homocysteine, B vitamins, and Alzheimer's prevention. Reviewer for Alzheimer's educational content.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mental Health Foundation (UK): UK charity focused on mental health research, policy, and public education. Comparable in promoting mental wellbeing through education and prevention, with some overlap in the food-and-mood narrative though broader scope.
• Alzheimer's Research UK: UK charity dedicated to dementia research, including prevention research and scientific funding. Closely comparable as a UK charity with overlapping focus on dementia prevention research and public education.
• Cognitive Vitality (Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation): Programme providing evidence-based information on brain health, including nutrition and lifestyle factors for Alzheimer's prevention. Comparable as an evidence-based educational resource targeting consumers concerned about cognitive decline.
• Alzheimer's Society: UK-based charity providing support, research funding, and advocacy for people affected by dementia. Directly comparable as a charity with overlapping mission on dementia awareness and prevention, though much larger in scale and donor base.
• Apollo Health (Dr. Dale Bredesen): US-based organization pioneering lifestyle-based Alzheimer's prevention through the ReCODE protocol. Directly comparable in its focus on multimodal lifestyle and nutritional interventions to prevent cognitive decline, though operating as a commercial provider rather than charity.
• Mind (UK mental health charity): UK-based mental health charity providing advice, support, and campaigning on mental health. Comparable as a UK charity addressing mental health, though broader in scope and not focused specifically on nutrition-based prevention.

Regional players

• MIND Foundation: European-based organization focused on meditation-based mental health interventions. Tangentially comparable in addressing mental health through educational programmes, though not focused on nutrition or dementia prevention.

Broad incumbents

• Alzheimer's Association: Largest global voluntary health organization for Alzheimer's care, support, and research. Operates in the same space but at much larger scale, with broader portfolio including care services, advocacy, and research funding beyond nutrition-based prevention.

Emerging players

• Sharp Again Naturally: US non-profit organization focused on preventing and reversing cognitive decline through natural means including nutrition. Comparable as a smaller charity promoting evidence-based natural prevention, with partial overlap in target audience and mission.
• Re:Mind Clinic: UK-based clinic focused on preventing and reversing cognitive decline through lifestyle, nutrition, and medical interventions. Comparable as a UK-based provider combining brain health assessment with lifestyle intervention, though operating as a clinic rather than charity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Foods4thebrain
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9jLZ9C51FD0kubZ5pDGIHQ/playlists
• Facebookfacebook.com/foodforthebrain.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/food-for-the-brain
• Instagraminstagram.com/foodforthebrainfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Food for the Brain