Even small amounts of ultraprocessed foods increase risk for dementia, study says

Key Points:

• A new study found that increasing daily intake of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) by 10%, roughly a small bag of potato chips, may raise dementia risk and reduce attention span in middle-aged and older adults, even among those who generally follow a healthy, plant-rich diet.
• UPFs constitute about 53% of calories consumed by U.S. adults and 62% for children, and are linked to poorer cognitive performance, higher dementia risk, and adverse health outcomes including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and depression.
• The study emphasizes that the negative effects are related to food processing itself rather than displacement of healthier foods, with UPFs often lacking essential nutrients and containing additives that may harm the brain and body.
• Research suggests that reducing UPF consumption and replacing them with minimally processed or whole foods over several years can lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, highlighting midlife as a critical period for dietary intervention.
• Established plant-rich diets like the Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND diets, which limit UPFs and emphasize whole foods, have been associated with improved brain health and reduced risk of chronic diseases linked to cognitive impairment.