A Healthier Diet May Help Prevent Dementia & Stroke: Are You On the Fast Track to Cognitive Decline? Nutrition Women's Health Men's Health Family Health

Eat a lot of processed foods? A new study published in the refereed journal Neurology (June 11, 2024) found that “ultra-processed foods” (UPFs) were a fast-track to dementia and stroke, while a healthier diet was protective of the aging brain.

The research followed over 14,000 subjects for a decade, and their dietary choices – ultra-processed foods, more unprocessed and minimally processed foods – showed dramatically different brain health outcomes.

Those who had 10 percent more processed foods in their diet had a 16 percent higher risk of cognitive impairment. Conversely, a higher intake of unprocessed or minimally processed foods correlated with a 12 percent lower risk of cognitive impairment. Greater intake of UPFs was associated with an 8 percent increased risk for stroke, while greater intake of unprocessed or minimally processed foods correlated with a 9 percent lower risk for stroke.

A moderate change in diet from junk to healthy foods may translate into a 28 percent lower risk of dementia. The Neurology research shows that dementia is preventable, and not a genetic risk cast in stone.

Ultra-processed foods include substances extracted from foods, such as fats, starches, added sugars and hydrogenated fats and may include additives like artificial colors, flavors and stabilizers. Calling these substances "food" is a joke. Examples of UPFs are:

• frozen meals
• soft drinks
• hot dogs 
• cold cuts
• fast food
• packaged cookies and cakes
• salty snacks

According to a study in the BMJ, UPFs contribute almost 60 percent of calories and 90 percent of added sugars consumed in the U.S.

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