Danger on your plate - which product is linked to dementia
Researchers analyzed data from over half a million people and found a possible link between processed meat consumption and the risk of dementia. Daily consumption of about 25 grams of such meat may increase the likelihood of developing dementia by 44–52%. Scientists emphasize that the data show a correlation, not a causal relationship.
Researchers analyzed data from over half a million people and found a possible link between processed meat consumption and the risk of dementia. Daily consumption of about 25 grams of processed meat — roughly one strip of bacon, two slices of turkey, or half a hot dog — may be associated with a 44–52% increase in the likelihood of developing dementia. This category includes bacon, sausages, hot dogs, and deli meats. Co-author Dr. Owen Carmichael from Louisiana State University noted that the analysis consolidated existing knowledge about the potential impact of ultra-processed foods on the brain but emphasized that the results still leave questions. The exact mechanism by which preservatives, particularly nitrates, affect the brain is not established; they are thought to contribute to inflammatory processes and negatively affect blood vessels. Researchers point out that the data demonstrate a correlation but do not allow the conclusion that processed meat causes dementia. A separate Brazilian study involving about 10,000 people showed that participants who obtained more than 20% of their energy from ultra-processed foods exhibited faster memory decline over eight years, but this pattern did not apply to those following the MIND diet.