In the United States, over six million people have Alzheimer’s, and death related to dementia or Alzheimer’s occurs in one in three older adults. Dementia is a term used to describe impairments in thinking and memory; symptoms may include trouble remembering things in the short term, completing daily tasks, navigating surroundings, and communicating with others.
The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s, and other causes of dementia include excessive alcohol drinking, thyroid issues, severe lack of vitamins, depression, and side effects from medication. Previous studies have shown that age, genetics, ethnicity, and traumatic brain injury are various factors to consider in an individual’s risk for dementia. However, recent studies have explored the role of diet in dementia risk, specifically the consumption of highly processed foods.
Ultra-processed foods or highly processed foods have additional ingredients added to whole foods. These added ingredients include sugars, salt, fat, artificial colors, and preservatives.
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In a study completed in Brazil, researchers gathered data on the food and drinking consumption of 10,000 participants for 12 months before the start of the study using a dietary questionnaire. The participants continued their normal dietary habits and got tested on various cognitive tasks for eight years. Researchers found that participants who consumed more than 19.9% of their total daily expected calories showed quicker deterioration of attention and memory on the cognitive test. In addition, cognitive impairments among middle-aged participants correlated with the percentage of food intake consisting of ultra-processed foods. Thus, exceeding calorie intake with ultra-processed foods may interfere with various memory abilities, demonstrating the need for early interventions to prevent cognitive decline related to increased consumption of processed foods. Preventive measures for decreasing the risk of dementia may include replacing highly processed foods with foods containing low processing. Another study in the UK found that when participants substituted 10% of ultra-processed food weight in their diet with minimally processed foods, participants decreased their risk of dementia by 19%. Awareness of diet balance is integral for future cognitive health.
New research about diets and cognitive health continues to expand the understanding of the risk for dementia. Specific neurological changes occurring from a high-processed foods diet remain uncertain, and there is ongoing research studying the possibility that processed foods may cause inflammation in the brain. As we learn more about the relationship between food and the brain, individuals should be aware of the foods they consume and how they can affect the body.
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