Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Higher Dementia Risk in Multiple Studies

Recent scientific research has examined the relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and cognitive health, focusing on attention and dementia risk across various populations.

An Australian cross-sectional study involving 2,192 adults aged 40 to 70 found that each 10% increase in UPF intake was associated with a decrease in attention scores and a rise in dementia risk scores, regardless of overall diet quality. The study also noted that even modest increases in UPF consumption were linked to measurable declines in attention span and higher dementia risk, including among those with otherwise healthy diets.

Participants in the Australian research consumed an average of 41% of their daily energy from UPFs, a figure closely matching the national average of 42%. These findings suggest that high UPF consumption is common among middle-aged Australians without dementia.

Additional evidence comes from larger reviews and cohort studies. A systematic review and meta-analysis covering 10 observational studies and 867,316 individuals found that those with high UPF intake had a greater risk of developing dementia compared to those with low intake. Another systematic review of five cohort studies, including over 617,000 adults, reported that four studies found an association between UPF consumption and Alzheimer’s disease risk, while one identified a link with cognitive decline.

What the numbers show

• Each 10% increase in UPF intake was linked to a 0.05-point drop in attention and a 0.24-point rise in dementia risk score in the Australian study
• Meta-analysis found a pooled relative risk of 1.44 for dementia in high versus low UPF consumers
• Framingham Heart Study reported a 13% increased Alzheimer’s risk per daily UPF serving for those under 68

The Framingham Heart Study, which followed 1,375 participants for approximately 12.7 years, found that among those younger than 68 at the start, each additional daily serving of UPF was associated with a 13% higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Consuming 10 or more servings per day was linked to a 2.7-fold increase in Alzheimer’s risk compared to consuming fewer than 10 servings per day.

These studies used different research designs, including cross-sectional, cohort, and systematic reviews, but consistently identified links between higher UPF intake and increased risk for dementia or cognitive decline. The associations were observed across diverse populations, age groups, and geographic regions.

While the studies controlled for factors such as overall diet quality, the findings indicate that UPF intake itself is associated with cognitive outcomes. The results were consistent even among individuals who otherwise followed healthy diets, according to the Australian study.

Collectively, the research highlights a pattern of associations between UPF consumption and markers of cognitive health, including attention span and dementia risk, as documented in multiple peer-reviewed studies and meta-analyses.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.