News Processed red meat increases dementia risk, research reveals

Want to reduce your risk of dementia? It’s time to ditch the meat! A new study has found that processed red meat – already linked to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer – can significantly increase your risk of dementia and cognitive decline.

Processed red meats (like bacon, ham, hot dogs, salami, and other deli meats) have long been linked to some concerning health impacts, such as a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and premature death. 

Now, researchers have discovered yet another red flag to add to the list: Processed red meat can damage the brain, leading to an increased risk of dementia 🚩

This latest health warning comes from a study published in the journal Neurology, which reports that people who eat higher amounts of red meat have a 14% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who consume minimal amounts. 

“Based on this data, we see that if people have higher processed red meat intake, they have a higher risk of dementia, a higher risk of subjective cognitive decline, and worse cognitive function,” says corresponding author of the study, Dr. Daniel Wang.

Wang and his team analysed data collected from over 130,000 health professionals enrolled in two large-scale studies: the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and the Nurses’ Health Study. Every two to four years, these health professionals filled out detailed dietary surveys, provided relevant health data, and answered questions about their memory.

The results waved a big green flag for plant-based proteins: Replacing just one serving of processed red meat daily with nuts and legumes was linked to a 19% lower risk of dementia. Now that’s a finding worth remembering! 💪🌿

The study also found that consuming any amount of processed red meat increased people’s risk of dementia and cognitive decline, and that the risk continued to increase according to the amount of processed meat consumed, with the 14% increased risk of dementia representing the upper threshold. 

Scarily enough, it didn’t take much red meat to reach this upper limit. Eating just a quarter of a single serving of processed red meat per day (e.g. two slices of bacon or a single hot dog) was enough to increase participants’ risk of dementia by 14%, compared to those who ate a minimal amount (e.g. less than a slice of bacon) per day.

Unprocessed red meat, such as beef, lamb, and pork, didn’t fare much better. Participants who ate unprocessed red meat still showed a 16% higher risk of experiencing memory issues than those who ate minimal red meat. 

“The take-home message is that if you can limit your red meat intake, please do it,” says Dr. Wang. “If you reduce your intake even a little bit, it will give you cognitive health benefits. And if you do it earlier, then even better.”

Several factors may contribute to the negative impact processed red meat has on cognitive health. For instance, when the body breaks down red meat, it can produce compounds that encourage amyloid proteins to clump together – a key characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. 

High saturated fat and salt, commonly found in red meat, may also interfere with healthy brain function. Additionally, nitrites used in meat processing can damage DNA, potentially harming brain cells.

Dr. Wang and the team intend to investigate further to shed even more light on how what we eat can protect and preserve our long-term cognitive function.

“We hope our results encourage greater consideration of the connection between diet and brain health.”

The science is already clear that cutting back on meat, especially in favour of plant-based alternatives, can lead to a wide range of health benefits, from reduced risk of chronic disease, improved sleep quality, and easier weight management to a boost in brain function and beyond. 

No wonder so many forward-thinking Aussies are starting to reduce their meat intake: protecting your memory and wellbeing might just start with rethinking what’s on the menu!

Keen to nourish your mind and body with delicious plant-based recipes? We’ve got you covered – check out our favourite healthy veg meals that are tasty, satisfying and good for you 🤤