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Study Links Highly Processed Foods to Increased Dementia Risk
FULDA, Germany – A new study is raising concerns about the potential link between the consumption of highly processed foods and an increased risk of cognitive decline, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.Researchers are emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, as a key preventative measure against age-related cognitive issues.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, found a notable correlation between a diet high in ultra-processed foods and cognitive decline in adults. Brazilian researchers, who conducted the study, analyzed data from 10,775 participants with an average age of 52. Over an average follow-up period of eight years, they observed that individuals who derived a significant portion of their daily energy from highly processed foods experienced a 28 percent greater rate of cognitive decline.
The findings add weight to existing recommendations to limit the intake of ultra-processed foods, which are frequently enough high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives. Examples of such foods include pre-made pizzas, packaged snacks, processed meats, sugary drinks, and instant noodles.
“If a high percentage of daily energy supply is covered by ultra -high -processed foods, this is associated with cognitive degradation in adults from an ethnically diverse sample,” the study authors wrote.
Dr. Linda Thienpont, deputy managing director of Alzheimer’s Research Initiative, echoed these concerns in an interview with IPPEN.MEDIA. She emphasized the need to avoid finished products as much as possible. “They increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. This is due, among other things, to the high sugar and unhealthy fats they contain,” she said.
While the study highlights the risks associated with highly processed foods, experts stress the importance of a balanced dietary approach. They recommend emphasizing fresh, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Moreover, incorporating sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed oil, walnuts, fatty fish, and algae, can be beneficial for brain health.
“The brain needs many Omega3 fatty acids from e.g. linseed oil, walnuts, grease sea fish or algae,” said Thienpont.
Nutritionists generally advise against entirely eliminating specific foods, emphasizing moderation. Dr. Thienpont recommends a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats like olive oil. This type of diet is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases, including cognitive decline.
The Alzheimer’s Research Initiative has also identified nine early warning signs that could indicate the onset of dementia. These signals include memory loss that disrupts daily life, challenges in planning or problem-solving, difficulty completing familiar tasks, confusion with time or place, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, new problems with words in speaking or writing, misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps, decreased or poor judgment, and withdrawal from work or social activities.
Alongside a healthy diet, maintaining an active lifestyle with sufficient sleep and regular physical exercise, and keeping the brain engaged through activities like reading, puzzles, and learning new skills can help promote cognitive health and reduce the risk of dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that more than six million americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, a number projected to rise in the coming years as the population ages. Research into preventative measures, including the role of diet, remains a critical area of focus.
