A recent medical study found that consuming processed or ultra-processed foods daily can significantly increase the risk of developing dementia. The study, published on the website of the American Academy of Neurology, noted that processed foods, such as soft drinks and potato chips, are high in added sugars, fats, and salt while containing little protein and fiber.
Researchers monitored the eating habits of 72,083 people in the United Kingdom aged over 55 for a decade, with the participants being free of dementia at the study’s onset. According to the British newspaper “The Sun,” by the end of the ten years, 518 individuals were diagnosed with dementia, which has been termed the second leading cause of death in the UK as of 2021.
The study revealed that “participants who consumed more ultra-processed foods daily over the decade had a higher chance of developing dementia compared to those who ate less of these foods.” Researchers also found that every 10 percent increase in daily consumption of ultra-processed foods raised the risk of developing dementia by 25 percent.
The researchers estimated that by replacing 10 percent of ultra-processed foods with unprocessed options, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and meats, the risk of developing dementia could decrease by 19 percent. Additionally, the study's lead author, Dr. Hubing Li from Tianjin Medical University, stated that small, manageable changes in people’s diets could make a difference regarding dementia risk. Li added: “Our research not only found that processed foods are linked to an increased risk of dementia but also that replacing them with healthier options might reduce that risk.” This study aligns with previous research indicating that an unhealthy diet can lead to cognitive decline.
