A new US study revealed that a diet high in processed red meat could increase the risk of developing dementia. The results are based on a large-scale study examining four decades worth of data from 130,000 people. While the study is yet to be peer-reviewed, it was recently presented at the Alzheimer’s Association international conference in the US. It sheds light on the importance of one’s diet and the potential dangers of consuming processed meat.
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About the study
The study aimed to investigate the link between cognition and diet and showed some concerning associations. It was found that eating 2 servings of processed red meat weekly, raised the risk of cognitive decline by 14% as compared to those eating only three servings a month. The results also suggested that individuals could lower the risk of dementia by 23% if they ate a serving of nuts, beans or tofu instead of their daily serving of processed red meat.
The participants were asked about their consumption of certain foods every 2-4 years. This included question regarding processed red meats like bacon, hot dogs, salami, bologna or other meat delis. They were also quizzed on their intake of nuts and legumes like peanut butter, walnuts, soy milk, beans, peas, tofu, etc. Over the 43 years that the study was conducted, over 11,000 dementia cases were observed.
However, the study was only designed to unveil associations and cannot demonstrate a clear cause and effect. Dr Richard Oakley, from the UK Alzheimer’s Society, stressed that eating processed red meat does not directly mean one will develop dementia. He highlighted, “It may be that people who avoid processed red meat are generally more health conscious and avoid other unhealthy habits that increase dementia risk.”
Dangers of processed red meat
Previous research has shown that eating a lot of processed red meat is linked with cancers, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. These meats include products like sausages, hot dogs, salami, ham, cured/smoked/dried meat and jerky. They undergo extensive processing using harmful substances and chemical preservatives like nitrites and nitrates. They also have a very high sodium content that can contribute to issues like high blood pressure.
The bottom line is that processed red meats, like most foods, are okay to eat in small quantities and occasionally. However, regular consumption poses a variety of health issues and risk for chronic diseases, which, according to the study, may include dementia.
What is dementia?
Across the world, over 55 million suffer from dementia, and it is one of the leading causes of death and disability among older people.
Dementia is a group of neurological diseases, characterised by declining cognitive function. This can include symptoms like memory loss, confusion, speech impairment, loss of judgement or thinking and the inability to perform daily activities. While different diseases come under dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common, comprising 60–70% of cases.
Some factors that increase your risk of developing dementia are:
- Age (mostly above 65)
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol consumptoon
- Smoking
- Depression
- Lack of physical activity
Most type of dementia are progressive and cannot be cured. However, treatment to manage symptoms and help quality of life do exist. Depending on the cause of dementia, medications and therapies are recommended.
Often doctors also suggest lifestyle changes as a preventive measure or to slow down the acceleration of the disease. These can include enhancing communication, exercising, engaging in hobbies/activities, establishing a routine and even maintaining a journal or calendar.
