Scammers. I donated to them one year thinking it was a one time thing. They ha e charged me three times once each year, despite me cancelling it several times. PATRICK HOLFORD AND HIS ORGANIZATI... See more
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See what reviewers are saying
My experience with Food for the Brain was very friendly and I was able to email and talk to the same person and build up a relationship. Fran was endlessly patient with my lack of experience with t... See more
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With an extensive family history of dementia I’d resigned myself to a sense of inevitability- then I found food for the brain and realised I could ‘stack the odds’ through their research, wisdom and a... See more
Company replied
Paid out 179 for a drift test. Bar code wouldn't register. Contacted them by phone and left a message. Sent three messages via their web site. No response. Absolutely shocking customer service. Would... See more
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Company details
- Fitness and Nutrition Service
- Health Consultant
- Home Health Care Service
- Mental Health Service
- Research Foundation
Written by the company
Food for the Brain is a UK-registered educational and research charity (No. 1116438) focused on the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia through nutrition and lifestyle. We empower individuals across all life stages to support their brain health with free tools like our validated Cognitive Function Test and personalised Dementia Risk Index. Our flagship COGNITION programme provides actionable, science-based guidance for lifelong cognitive wellbeing. We also offer home test kits to assess key nutritional markers, including omega-3, vitamin D, homocysteine, glucose balance, and glutathione. From children to older adults, our mission is to raise awareness of the critical link between nutrition and brain health, helping people make informed choices for better mental wellbeing. Learn more at www.foodforthebrain.org
Contact info
United Kingdom
- foodforthebrain.org
3.1
Average
22 reviews
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Typically takes over 1 month to reply
How this company uses Trustpilot
See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.
Scammers.
Scammers.
I donated to them one year thinking it was a one time thing. They ha e charged me three times once each year, despite me cancelling it several times.
PATRICK HOLFORD AND HIS ORGANIZATION IS A SCAM!!
October 15, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
I’m really sorry to hear about your experience. If you were charged again after attempting to cancel, that is not the experience we want anyone to have. We take concerns about payments seriously and apologise for the distress this situation has caused. From our records, it appears there may have been an issue with the cancellation process or payment system, but we would like to review this fully and ensure everything has now been resolved correctly.
As a registered charity, our aim is to support research and education in brain health. We are committed to transparency and making sure our supporters have a positive experience, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention.
If you have any remaining concerns about your donation or account status, please contact us directly at info@foodforthebrain.org and we will review the matter with you.
Thank you for raising this, and we are sorry again for any distress this may have caused.
Food for the Brain team
Human Contact
My experience with Food for the Brain was very friendly and I was able to email and talk to the same person and build up a relationship. Fran was endlessly patient with my lack of experience with technology. To hear a familiar voice on the telephone was so reassuring and she gave me lots of guidance.
It is very unusual in this day and age to have such friendly contact as most companies will not let you talk to a real person which is so sad when genuine help can change everything - other companies please note this.
Food for the Brain are helping so many people and giving hope to those struggling with Alzheimer’s.
I admire Patrick Holford’s book on how diet and exercise and using the brain can help and hope more people will follow him and recover their minds.
July 24, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. We’re really pleased to hear that you found the support from Fran friendly, patient, and reassuring. We understand how important it is to feel comfortable when learning to use new technology, and we’re glad the guidance you received helped make the process easier for you.
Personal, human support is something we value highly, even as a small remote-working charity team, and it’s wonderful to know that this made a positive difference to your experience.
We’re also grateful for your kind comments about the educational work we do and the contribution of Patrick Holford to promoting lifestyle-based approaches to brain health.
Thank you again for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review and for your encouragement.
Food for the Brain team
Here’s a “5” in waiting
I would rate Food For The Brain (FFB) a 5 but for a stingy issue in me that I can’t give out perfect score until real results are in. Not so YET with FFB but I’ve been very satisfied with their Team’s product. I have yet to get the Book and Lab tests (I live in USA).
The Team has been responsive and solved a struggle I had ordering (the cause was that the queue doesn’t even fully take folks onto the waiting list until 1Jun25). This quirk even threw them off until they clarified it
last week. But they were interested in trulyanswering my questions.
As for the overall effort, FFB has been at the leading edge of honestly answering the Alzheimer’s mystery - while everyone else was completely engulfed in the “Amyloid Plaque” dogma. And this dogma is very deep here in USA where treating symptoms -not causes- has become the only approved actions 99% of Dr’s can or will take.
May 24, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you very much for your thoughtful review and for sharing your experience with Food for the Brain.
We truly appreciate your honesty in explaining why you have not yet given a perfect score it’s completely understandable to wait for real-world outcomes before doing so. We’re pleased to hear that you found our team responsive and helpful in resolving the ordering queue issue, and we apologise for any initial confusion caused by the waiting list system.
We’re also glad that you value the broader scientific and educational approach behind our work. Our aim is to contribute to a more evidence-informed understanding of brain health risk reduction and to explore factors that may go beyond traditional models of neurodegenerative disease.
Thank you again for taking the time to leave such a balanced and encouraging review.
Food for the Brain team
Highly recommend what the company has to offer and customer service
I highly recommend what Food for the Brain has to offer and admire the high quality of customer service.
Until food for the brain made available their home tests I had no clue that my omega 3 ratio was low. Within a few weeks of taking the easy to use test and taking a high quality omega 3 supplement it made a massive difference to my well-being. Gp surgeries don’t allow these tests.
I wanted to retake the tests and so ordered more and for various personal reasons was unable to take the test. The customer service tesm were amazing and took back all
tests and refunded me immediately. They were very caring - Johanne helped me a lot. And I’m very grateful. I plan on taking the tests again later on this year and highly recommend Food for rhe brain to family and friends.
What food for the brain is doing is empowering the general public with their health and well-being. As always Patrick holford is a cut above the rest! Thank you soo much Johanne.
May 14, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review. We truly appreciate your kind words about Food for the Brain and are delighted to hear that you found both the testing process and our customer service helpful.
We’re especially pleased that the omega-3 testing gave you useful insight and supported positive changes in your well-being. Helping people understand modifiable brain health risk factors is a core part of our mission, and feedback like yours is very encouraging to the team.
We also really appreciate your understanding when circumstances meant you were unable to complete the tests you ordered. It was our pleasure to assist with the refund, and we’re glad that the support you received from Johanne was so helpful.
Thank you for your continued interest in using the tests again later in the year, and for recommending us to your family and friends that means a great deal to us.
Food for the Brain team
Ordered and paid for their recipe app…
Ordered and paid for their recipe app in May last year. Was told I’d have access by December but still no link that works for me to open the app. Have tried emailing over and over but no response to my query. I’m very disappointed
February 3, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
We are very sorry to hear about the delay and the frustration this has caused you. At Food for the Brain, we aim to provide access to our products and resources in a timely and reliable way, and it is clear that we have not met that standard in your case.
If you paid for the recipe app and have not been able to access it despite being advised that it would be available, that is not acceptable. We also apologise that your emails appear not to have received a response that is something we are reviewing internally.
Please email us directly at info@foodforthebrain.org with “Trustpilot – Recipe App Access” in the subject line, and include the email address used when purchasing. We will prioritise resolving your access issue and ensure you are able to use what you paid for, or discuss an appropriate alternative if access cannot be restored.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we are sorry for the inconvenience you have experienced.
Food for the Brain team
Awful
Sent off my test not had anything back now have a new test card in the post which i have to use but dont have the box anymore havent got the address so cant send it. Wrote an email to them and it wouldnt send was correct as i copied and pasted waste of money dont use this company.
November 16, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
We’re very sorry to hear about this experience. At Food for the Brain, we aim to make the testing process straightforward, and it’s clear we have not done that in your case.
If you have received a replacement test card but no longer have the original kit packaging, that is not a problem. Please email us directly at info@foodforthebrain.org with “Trustpilot – Test Return Issue” in the subject line, and include your name and the email address used when ordering. We will provide the correct return address and help ensure your sample can be processed.
We are also sorry that you were unable to send your email to us. If your message bounced, it may have been a temporary server or formatting issue, but we would like to make sure your enquiry is received and resolved.
Please reach out again so we can put this right for you.
Food for the Brain team
Disappointingly poor admin
I bought us two hba1c tests, on a special offer, partly to see how this went before I spent a load more money. It still cost £70, and I believe this test can be done by a GP for free. I felt it would be good to have the result in my dashboard. I managed to get mine done, but my wife had problems logging in, password reset doesn’t work and we’ve never had a response to repeated requests for help. As for my test, weeks went by and no result came through. When I emailed with a query, I did get a response saying my results were visible in my dashboard and I should have had an email. I didn’t get the email, presumably it went to spam. And yes the result was now in my dashboard, although my hba1c level is so low I don’t believe it’s accurate. The other test pack sits on the shelf, at a cost of £35, as we are not able to use it until password reset works. So while I admire the aims of the organisation, they need to put more effort into the admin. Just responding to emails and checking the website works, such basic stuff.
July 24, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We’re genuinely sorry for the frustration you and your wife have experienced.
You’re absolutely right basic administration, including login access and timely responses to support requests, should work smoothly. Password reset issues and unanswered emails are not the standard we aim to provide, and we apologise that this has been your experience.
Regarding HbA1c testing, you are correct that it is often available via a GP, particularly where there is clinical need. Our tests are offered as an optional convenience for those who wish to monitor markers privately and view results within their dashboard, but they should of course function seamlessly.
We’re sorry that your wife has been unable to access her account and that this has left one of the test kits unused. We would very much like to resolve this promptly. Please email us at info@foodforthebrain.org with “Trustpilot – Login Issue” in the subject line and include both account email addresses. We will manually review the account, reset access if needed, and ensure you can use the remaining test.
With regard to your HbA1c result, if you have concerns about the value reported, we are happy to review this with the laboratory and provide clarification on the reference ranges used.
We appreciate your support of the organisation’s aims and accept your point that reliable admin and communication are fundamental. Thank you for highlighting where we need to improve.
Food for the Brain team
Reducing dementia risk through action
With an extensive family history of dementia I’d resigned myself to a sense of inevitability- then I found food for the brain and realised I could ‘stack the odds’ through their research, wisdom and advice. I now take supplements, have ditched fizzy colas and really focus on good REM sleep. Food4theBrain gives me hope for mine and others future brain health
September 15, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you for sharing such a personal and meaningful review. We’re truly moved to hear that our work has given you a sense of hope and empowerment in managing your brain health.
It’s wonderful to know that the information, research, and practical guidance we provide have helped you make lifestyle changes that feel positive and sustainable whether that’s adjusting your diet, thinking more carefully about sleep, or making choices that support long-term wellbeing. Our aim is exactly what you describe: helping people understand that dementia risk is not fixed and that there are steps people can take to help stack the odds in their favour.
Family history can understandably create anxiety, so we are especially pleased that you have found a sense of possibility rather than inevitability. Feedback like yours is incredibly encouraging for our team and helps remind us why this work matters.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience and for supporting our mission to improve future brain health.
Food for the Brain team
Valuable and informative
I enjoyed taking the cognition test, which is quite in depth and tests various aspects of your brain function.
The test is totally free.
I chose to support the work by joining as a friend, and this results in me receiving interesting emails and gives me access to articles online.
Yes, you do need to pay for blood tests if you choose to take them, obviously nobody is going to give you these for nothing.
I would stress that I have NOT received any unsolicited marketing from other companies as suggested in one of the other reviews.
Whether you choose to join as a supporter or just take the free test, I think this is well worth a try by anyone I interested in cognition.
August 19, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your positive experience. We’re delighted to hear that you found the cognition test valuable, in-depth, and enjoyable to complete.
It’s especially encouraging to know that you appreciated the free access to the test and that you have chosen to support our work as a Friend. We aim to provide interesting, evidence-based content for supporters while keeping the core testing service freely available to anyone who wants to explore their cognitive health.
We also appreciate you highlighting your experience regarding marketing communications. We take user privacy seriously and are pleased to hear that you have not received unsolicited marketing from third parties.
As you mention, optional blood tests are provided through external healthcare services and are not included in the free testing offering. We try to make this clear so users can make informed choices about any additional services they may wish to explore.
Thank you again for your kind and thoughtful review. We truly value feedback that helps others feel confident trying the test and learning more about cognition.
Food for the Brain team
They are doing vital work in helping us…
They are doing vital work in helping us all stay healthy through using targeted testing, diet and supplements. Thanks to all those involved. We are grateful for your dedication and wisdom!
September 15, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you very much for your kind and supportive review of Food for the Brain.
We’re truly grateful to hear that you value the work we are doing to promote proactive brain health through testing, education, and lifestyle guidance. Supporting people in making informed choices about diet, supplements, and other modifiable risk factors is central to our mission.
Your encouragement means a great deal to our team, and we sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your appreciation.
Thank you again for your thoughtful message and for being part of our community.
Food for the Brain team
Free validated cognitive function test - for myself and the family!
I am in mt 30's but I still found there free validated online test helpful - at first sceptical that is might be a bit surface level I was impressed at how in-depth the test was and the insights the results gave me. I ahve since passed it onto my parents and siblings to do as dementia 'runs in the family' and want to prevent this as much as possible.
September 25, 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the Cognitive Function Test helpful, even as a younger adult, and that the insights gave you confidence about areas to focus on.
It’s wonderful that you’ve shared the test with your parents and siblings early awareness and proactive steps can make a real difference when dementia runs in the family. Our goal is to make validated cognitive testing accessible to as many people as possible, and feedback like yours reassures us that the test is providing meaningful information.
Thank you again for recommending it to your family, and for supporting our mission to empower people with knowledge about their brain health.
Food for the Brain team
Hugely recommended.
Hugely recommended.
A clear and well laid out test with good instructions and simple usability.
The results were instantaneous and broke down my cognitive score into different categories with clear explanations of both what this meant and what I needed to work on.
With a history of dementia in my family I was somewhat nervous taking the test but was actually left feeling confident in certain elements of my cognitive health and clear on what I could do help myself in other areas.
September 6, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and recommendation it really means a great deal to us.
We’re especially pleased to hear that you found the test clear, easy to use, and that the breakdown of results felt understandable and practical. Our aim is to present cognitive insights in a way that feels informative and empowering rather than overwhelming.
We also completely understand that taking a cognitive test can feel daunting, particularly with a family history of dementia. It’s encouraging to hear that the experience left you feeling both reassured and clear about the areas you can proactively support.
Thank you for being part of the community and for taking the time to share your experience.
Food for the Brain team
An amusing test- Clearly a marketing tool
An amusing test. it most certainly is not a conventional clinical test . I'm almost sure its intention is a marketing ploy to obtain your email and a mass of personal details aimed at selling the data to numerous vitamin and other bogus vendors promising amazing results from their version of whatever vitamin or brain booster they sell.
It has little or no professional clinical use.
June 6, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
We’d like to reassure you that we do not sell personal data to third parties. As a registered charity, we operate under strict data protection regulations, and protecting user information is a priority.
The Cognitive Function Test is designed as a large-scale screening and research tool to help people track aspects of cognitive performance over time and contribute anonymised data to research into dementia risk reduction. It is not intended to replace a formal clinical assessment, and we aim to be clear about that.
Optional blood tests and nutrition guidance are available for those who want additional insight, but these are entirely voluntary.
We understand that online health tools can raise valid questions, and we welcome that scrutiny. If you’d like to explore more about how the test was developed and the scientific basis behind it, you can read more here:
https://foodforthebrain.org/what-is-the-scientific-basis-of-the-cft-dri-cog-nition/
We’re always happy to answer questions directly if helpful. Please contact us at info@foodforthebrain.org
Food for the Brain team
Website is not working so cannot do the…
Website is not working so cannot do the test.
May 10, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you for letting us know, and we’re very sorry that you weren’t able to access the test.
That’s certainly not the experience we want anyone to have. If the website was not working when you tried, it may have been due to a temporary technical issue or maintenance update. We would really appreciate the opportunity to look into this further.
In future, if you are willing, please let us know:
• The device you were using (e.g. phone, tablet, desktop)
• Your browser (e.g. Chrome, Safari, etc.)
• The time and date you attempted to access the test
• Any error message you may have seen
This will help our technical team investigate and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your patience.
Food for the Brain team
Shocking Customer Service
Paid out 179 for a drift test. Bar code wouldn't register. Contacted them by phone and left a message. Sent three messages via their web site. No response. Absolutely shocking customer service. Would not use them again
You’ve replied to a review that I submitted over two years ago!
February 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
We are very sorry to read this and sincerely apologise for the frustration you experienced.
If a barcode did not register, that is understandably concerning and we are sorry if your phone message and website enquiries were not answered promptly.
As a small charity team working remotely, we operate primarily via email support so that queries can be properly logged and tracked. However, that does not excuse a lack of response, and we take this feedback seriously.
We’re sorry again for the experience you’ve had and if there is anything further we can do please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@foodforthebrain.org.
Food for the Brain team
Beware if you pay for a subscription
Beware if you pay for a subscription - its impossible cancel it. No response to multiple emails & phone calls (have to leave a message). Taken my money & now in dispute via credit card provider
February 4, 2024
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
We’re very sorry to read this and understand how concerning it must feel when you believe a subscription hasn’t been cancelled.
To clarify, we do not operate a staffed phone line. We are a small charity team working remotely and manage enquiries predominantly via email so that requests can be properly logged and tracked. We appreciate this may be frustrating if you were expecting to speak to someone directly.
That said, a cancellation request should never go unresolved, and we sincerely apologise if your emails were not responded to promptly. This is not our intention, nor our usual standard. We are sorry for the distress this may have caused you.
Food for the Brain team
unable to take test .
unable to take test .. just a loop
also donated
December 16, 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you for your review and for your donation. We’re very grateful for your support and truly sorry to hear that you weren’t able to access the test.
Being stuck in a loop when trying to start a test is understandably frustrating, and that’s not the experience we want anyone to have. We would like to look into this properly for you.
Please could you email us at info@foodforthebrain.org with the email address you used to register, along with a brief description of what happens when you try to start the test. We’ll prioritise resolving this for you.
Thank you again for your support, and we’re sorry for the inconvenience you’ve experienced.
Food for the Brain team
Confusing advice for vegans
I have been happy to take an annual free cognitive function test- it is reassuring to know I perform as expected for my age.
I am vegan and take an omega 3 supplement, but the food questionnaire doesn't take this into account - each year I am told I am not eating enough omega 3 and am advised to eat fish. I have raised this with them but was told "we can't change the questionnaire".
I am not happy to pay for expensive blood tests for Omega 3 and Homocystine. I am left feeling that the foodforthebrain organisation is primarily trying to make money selling blood tests, rather than pushing forward research, and that they are not interested in the effect of choosing a fish-free form of EPA and DHA.
December 10, 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, and we’re pleased to hear that you’ve found the annual Cognitive Function Test reassuring and helpful.
We’re sorry for the frustration caused by the omega-3 feedback in the questionnaire. You’re absolutely right that many people now obtain EPA and DHA from algae-based (vegan) supplements rather than fish, and we recognise that the current dietary questionnaire does not always reflect this clearly. The tool was originally designed around dietary intake patterns, and while supplements are considered in parts of the assessment, we understand that the messaging can feel overly focused on fish consumption. Your feedback is valid and helpful, and we are reviewing how this guidance is presented so it better reflects plant-based choices.
With regard to blood testing, these are entirely optional. As a charity, our core cognitive testing remains free so that as many people as possible can access it. Laboratory tests carry a cost because they involve third-party processing and analysis, but they are offered as an additional layer of insight for those who want objective biomarker data not as a requirement.
We certainly do not dismiss vegan sources of omega-3, and research into algae-derived EPA and DHA continues to grow. Our aim is always to base recommendations on the best available evidence, while making the tools as inclusive and practical as possible.
Thank you again for raising this, constructive feedback like yours helps us improve both clarity and inclusivity in our guidance.
Food for the Brain team
Have just completed my 2nd test…
Have just completed my 2nd test successfully and with no trouble at all. All past results carried forward and all information linked. Recently read earlier review and was nervous as thought was a valuable resource and didn’t want it to be dodgy. I shall continue to use and be thankful it is available. The cognition tests are free but you pay for blood tests - fair enough.
November 6, 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience we really appreciate it.
We’re especially pleased to hear that your second test ran smoothly and that your previous results were available and linked correctly. Continuity of data is important, so it’s encouraging to know this worked well for you.
We also understand that reading mixed reviews can create uncertainty, so we’re grateful you gave the platform another try and found it valuable. As a charity, our aim is to make evidence-based cognitive testing widely accessible, which is why the Cognitive Function Test is free to use. Optional blood testing carries a cost simply because of laboratory processing, but we work hard to keep everything as affordable as possible.
Thank you again for your thoughtful feedback and for being part of our community. We’re glad you’re finding the resource helpful and look forward to supporting you on your brain health journey.
Food for the Brain team
Inept.
I'm afraid I agree that they are inept.
Been trying to end my subscription for 3 months......e mails promise and don't deliver and the phone lines don't enable you to chat with anyone and messages left are unactioned
June 30, 2023
Unprompted review
Reply from foodforthebrain.org
We’re very sorry to read this and sincerely apologise for the frustration you’ve experienced. That’s certainly not the standard of service we aim to provide. If you had been trying to cancel your subscription for several months without resolution, that is not acceptable, and we understand why this would lead to disappointment. We hope this situation has now been resolved to your satisfaction.
We are a small charity team and currently operate primarily via email support, which can unfortunately lead to delays during busy periods but that should never prevent a subscription request from being resolved promptly.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and again, we’re sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Food for the Brain team
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