Studies Link Ultra-Processed Foods to 19% Higher Dementia Risk as 31,000-Woman Data Ties Them to Depression
Updated
Updated · The Mirror · Jun 23
Studies Link Ultra-Processed Foods to 19% Higher Dementia Risk as 31,000-Woman Data Ties Them to Depression
3 articles · Updated · The Mirror · Jun 23
Summary
A 2022 study of 72,083 people found regular ultra-processed food intake was associated with higher dementia risk, with 518 participants later developing dementia, including 287 Alzheimer's cases.
A 10% shift from ultra-processed to minimally processed foods was linked to a 19% lower dementia risk, suggesting diet changes may materially affect long-term brain health.
More than 31,000 U.S. women tracked from 2003 to 2017 also showed a higher risk of depression with diets heavy in foods such as bacon, sausages and artificially sweetened drinks.
Researchers and Alzheimer's Research UK said the mechanism is still unclear, but pointed to low fibre, excess sugar and sodium, inflammation, high blood pressure and possibly artificial sweeteners.
Is your 'healthy' diet secretly filled with foods that could be damaging your brain and mood?
Beyond willpower, are foods being intentionally engineered to harm our brains for profit?
As science links processed food to brain damage, should it be regulated like tobacco?
Ultra-Processed Foods Drive Up Dementia and Depression: Evidence, Mechanisms, and Policy Gaps
Overview
Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption is a growing public health concern because it is linked to harm across nearly every major organ system, including increased risks to cognitive and mental well-being. Recent high-certainty evidence shows that eating more UPFs raises the risk of dementia and depression. Diets high in UPFs can disrupt sleep and cause a general feeling of unwellness, which further worsens mental health challenges. Since UPFs are widely consumed, a large part of the population is potentially exposed to these risks. Although some studies have limitations, the consistent findings highlight the urgent need for further investigation and action.