Ultra-processed foods raise dementia risk in older adults

A new study has found a significant association between high consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of cognitive decline in older adults, while suggesting that minimally processed foods may offer a protective benefit. The research, published in the American Journal of Public Health, followed more than 5,300 Americans for nearly a decade.

The longitudinal analysis used data from the Health and Retirement Study, tracking participants with a median age of 64.5 years for a median of 8.7 years. Researchers assessed dietary intake using a food frequency questionnaire and classified foods according to the NOVA system, which categorizes items by their level of industrial processing. Cognitive status was evaluated biennially.

The findings revealed that individuals in the highest quintile of ultra-processed food consumption had a 58 percent higher risk of developing dementia compared to those in the lowest quintile. This group also showed a 46 percent higher risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, often a precursor to dementia. Among the various types of ultra-processed foods, processed meats such as bacon, hot dogs, and sliced ham were most strongly associated...