Consider making adjustments to your diet, as recent studies indicate that certain foods could heighten your risk of developing dementia.
While it’s common to indulge in meals that aren’t the healthiest for us, consistently consuming such foods might have long-term consequences on your health.
This is particularly concerning as you age, given the negative effects that diet can have on your overall well-being.
A recent study has identified a connection between the consumption of red meat, especially those high in saturated fats, and an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
This research was published on January 15 in Neurology, the online journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
The researchers identified unprocessed red meats as beef, pork, lamb, and hamburgers.
Processed red meats are those that have been salted, cured, smoked, or chemically preserved to extend their shelf life.
The study also highlighted concerns about five frequently consumed foods in the United States.
These include bacon, hot dogs, sausages, salami, bologna, and similar products.
It might be beneficial to reduce or eliminate these from your diet in favor of healthier alternatives.
Dr. Dong Wang, a researcher from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, elaborated on the findings and suggested why individuals should consider dietary changes to mitigate their risk of dementia.
He stated: “Red meat is high in saturated fat and has been shown in previous studies to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which are both linked to reduced brain health.
“Our study found processed red meat may increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.”
He further mentioned that opting for healthier alternatives not only decreases the likelihood of developing dementia but might also lower one’s risk.
He explained: “But the good news is that it also found that replacing it with healthier alternatives, like nuts, fish and poultry, may reduce a person’s risk.”
In the study, those who consumed processed red meat were categorized into three groups — low (fewer than 0.10 daily servings), medium (0.10 to 0.24 daily servings), and high (0.25 or more servings per day).
A serving of red meat is defined as 3 ounces, roughly the size of a palm.
After accounting for age, sex, and various risk factors, it was observed that individuals in the high-consumption group faced a 13% increased risk of dementia compared to those in the low-consumption group.