The importance of nutrition and the gut-brain axis for brain health and cognitive function is increasingly recognized. Nutritional interventions are being tested for their potential to prevent and/or treat brain disorders. Intermittent fasting (IF), which involves alternating periods of 12 to 48 hours of calorie intake interruption or drastically restriction with regular feeding periods, has shown promising results in animal models in terms of neurobiological health. This review article discusses the potential benefits of IF on cognitive function and its possible effects on the prevention and progression of brain-related disorders in animals and humans. We do this by summarizing the effects of IF, which leads to anatomical and functional changes in the brain through metabolic, cellular, and circadian mechanisms. Our review shows that there is no clear evidence that IF has a positive short-term effect on cognitive function in healthy subjects. Clinical studies have shown that IF has benefits on disease symptoms and progression in epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Findings from animal studies demonstrate mechanisms by which Parkinson's disease, ischemic stroke, autism spectrum disorder, and mood and anxiety disorders may benefit from IF. Future research should reveal whether the positive effects of IF are valid independently of age or the presence of obesity. Furthermore, differences in fasting patterns, total calorie intake, and the intake of specific nutrients may be important components in the success of IF. Longitudinal studies and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) will shed light on the long-term effects of IF on the development and progression of brain-related diseases.