what influence does malnutrition have on brain development and function in our time? Depending on the micronutrient, an undersupply has different consequences for cognitive performance. Various brain areas can be affected by the undersupply, often the hippocampus. Particularly during brain maturation during pregnancy and early childhood, when the brain grows very vigorously, deficits can have long-term effects. Depending on the growth phase, different micronutrients are needed in different quantities. Micronutrients are required for the formation of neurons and their nerve connections, as well as for the synthesis of essential hormones in the brain. The importance of individual micronutrients and the consequences of an undersupply can be seen. This undersupply applies particularly to the consequences of nutritional poverty, i.e., when the pregnant woman and/or the newborn do not receive a diet of sufficient quality. A smaller hippocampus a reduced gray mass but also connectivity problems are described here. The consequences are various developmental disorders, such as language, resilience, or general cognitive performance. When we look at our ancestors, these micronutrients, when available in sufficient quantities, enabled brain growth, cognitive performance, and the ability to engage with the outside world. Some consequences of a qualitatively inadequate diet during pregnancy affect organ systems other than the brain. For example, a higher risk of so-called noncommunicable diseases (diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer) is described in children whose mothers were malnourished. The causes of this are intrauterine growth disorders and epigenetic effects.