New Delhi: Consumption of ultraprocessed foods increases the risk of dementia by 58 per cent, an American study has found. And processed meat was found to be the only subgroup among shelf-stable foods associated with increased risks of both dementia and cognitive impairment in older US adults.
The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health on 16 February, analysed 5,370 participants over 8.7 years. The participants were from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS 2013-2020), a survey of American adults aged 50 years and older and their spouse or partner.
It found that consuming processed food also led to a 46 per cent higher risk of cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND), and a 47 per cent higher risk of composite CIND or dementia.
“The UPF-cognitive (ultraprocessed food) outcome associations did not differ by gender, education level, or social isolation,” the study said.
On the other hand, eating minimally processed foods was linked to a 41 per cent lower risk of dementia. It also led to a 24 per cent lower risk of CIND, and a 26 per cent lower risk of composite CIND or dementia.
Dementia affects over 6 million Americans, accounting for over 100,000 deaths every year. Recent studies suggest that the number of new dementia cases in the US may double over the next four decades.
The menace of sugary drinks
According to a study published in 2022, the consumption of ultraprocessed foods among US adults increased from 2001-2002 to 2017-2018, while the consumption of minimally processed foods decreased significantly reduced.
Under the recent study, sugar-sweetened beverages were found to be the largest contributors to ultraprocessed food, accounting for 31.2 per cent of total consumption. These were followed by beverages (22.2 per cent), dairy (11.2 per cent), snacks and sweets (9.7 per cent), and grains and derivatives (6.2 per cent).
While the researchers suggested strategies to reduce the consumption of ultraprocessed food among Americans—such as community-based meal programmes—they stressed policy action.
“Policy- and industry-level action should be prioritized. Given UPFs’ low cost, taxation may be warranted, as illustratedby Colombia’s recent UPF tax,” read the study.
According to Euromonitor International 2019, the sales of processed foods in India almost doubled between 2012 and 2018. An estimated 8.8 million people older than 60 years of age live with dementia in the country, making up about 7.4 per cent of the total population.
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