A Harvard University study revealed that excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods such as sausages, biscuits, and processed meats significantly increases the risk of developing dementia and cognitive decline.
The researchers found that people who eat more than two kilograms of these foods daily are up to 58% more likely to develop dementia, while the risk of cognitive decline increases by 46% compared to others.
Dementia is not just temporary forgetfulness, but a chronic condition that ruins the lives of millions, affecting memory, personality, and behavior.
Over the past few decades, many have shifted to a Western diet based on ultra-processed foods. Companies have carefully modified the flavors, colors, and shelf life of their products, designing them with an enticing mix of salts, fats, and sugars to make them "highly palatable" or almost addictive for consumers.
Worryingly, the danger isn't limited to those who overindulge in these foods. The study demonstrated that even moderate levels of consumption (around half a kilogram or less) negatively impact brain health.
Nutrition expert Cindy Leung commented, "No one can reassure themselves that they are safe just because they are not getting all their calories from these foods. This study really shows that there may be no safe level at all."
For nearly ten years, researchers followed the health of more than 5,300 older adults who were participating in a comprehensive health and retirement study supported by the National Institutes of Health. Participants answered detailed questions about their diet, as well as habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity.
When comparing the data, it was found that processed meats such as bacon and deli were the most dangerous, as they were linked to the highest rates of dementia and cognitive decline.
However, the researchers explain that the study relies on the participants' own reports, and therefore they cannot definitively say that ultra-processed foods are the direct cause of dementia; rather, there is a strong correlation, but not necessarily a causal relationship.
The answer lies in the fact that ultra-processed foods are linked to known risk factors for dementia: obesity, changes in gut bacteria, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and increased bad cholesterol.
All of these factors negatively affect brain health, either directly or indirectly.
This is supported by previous studies, including Australian research showing that even one meal a day of these foods may increase the risk of dementia, and an American study that found that eating a daily portion of ultra-processed meat increases cognitive problems by 17%, and drinking sugary soda increases them by 6%.
The good news is that the damage is not inevitable. The same Harvard study found that people who were most careful about eating natural, minimally processed foods, such as fruits and vegetables, were 41% less likely to develop dementia.
