Frequently eating ultra-processed meats like hot dogs, sausages, bacon, and salami may increase the risk of dementia, according to a new study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. The findings, which used data collected over 40 years, have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, but they offer experts a glimpse into “one of the most robust studies” linking diet and cognitive decline, Dr. Maria Carillo, chief scientific officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, told NBC News.
The study: The study followed more than 130,000 U.S. adults for up to 43 years. About 8.5% of the participants, 11,173 of them, developed dementia, allowing the researchers to compare their typical intake of processed meat. Frequency mattered. Participants who ate about two servings of processed meat per week had a 14% higher risk of developing dementia than those who ate it much less frequently (fewer than three servings per month), according to The New York Times. They also found that each additional serving of meat consumed daily was associated with an aging of cognitive ability by 1.6 years, especially in terms of language and “executive function,” according to NBC. The theory: Ultra-processed foods are associated with poorer brain health, but we don’t know why. The theory is that processed foods negatively impact vascular health, replace food with vital nutrients, and damage brain cells. Supporting evidence: NBC notes that the study was limited in scope and was conducted on a primarily white group of people with above-average socioeconomic status, so it may not be representative of the general population. But other studies from Brazil and the UK have also linked cognitive decline to diets high in ultra-processed foods. What to eat instead: Researchers say unprocessed meats like steak and ground beef don’t pose the same risk, and they recommend a diet high in fresh vegetables and lean protein. “The less processed, the better,” Dr. Urma Naidoo of Massachusetts General Hospital told NBC. “Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits delivers fiber, nutrients, minerals and vitamins to your body and brain.” (‘Subtle’ signs could be warning signs of dementia.)
