Dementia can creep up unnoticed: scientists name dangerous foods

French scientists from the University of Bordeaux have identified a link between dietary patterns and the risk of dementia. The study found that frequent consumption of processed meat, starchy foods, and sweets is associated with an increased risk, while a balanced diet including fish, berries, nuts, and vegetables is linked to more favorable outcomes.

French scientists from the University of Bordeaux, led by Cecilia Samieri, studied the eating habits of approximately 600 elderly people (average age 78) and their association with the risk of developing dementia. The study, published in the journal Neurology, showed that not only individual foods but also their combinations matter. People whose diets frequently included processed meat, starchy foods (particularly potatoes), and sweets (cakes, cookies) showed a stronger link between dietary patterns and dementia risk. However, the researchers emphasize that consuming potatoes or a single dessert does not itself cause dementia—the overall dietary structure was studied. More favorable outcomes were observed in those who followed a varied diet including fish, berries, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and whole grains. The scientists note that eating habits are formed long before old age and have a cumulative effect on brain health.