Eating a 25g serving of processed meat per day, the equivalent of a slice of bacon, increases the risk of developing dementia by 44%.
- Dementia affects 5% to 8% of the world’s population over the age of 60.
- Consumption of unprocessed red meat, such as beef, pork or veal, is protective and those who consume 50g per day are 19% less likely to develop dementia.
Although we are omnivores, eating too much meat is not good for our health. And with processed meat, the risks are even greater. In a study taking into account data from nearly 500,000 people, British researchers from the Nutritional Epidemiology Group at the University of Leeds found that eating a 25g serving of processed meat per day, or equivalent to a slice of bacon, is associated with a 44% increased risk of developing dementia. They presented their results on March 22 in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Unprocessed red meat lowers risk of dementia
The team of scientists studied the data provided by the UK Biobank, a database containing in-depth genetic and health information from half a million Britons, aged 40-69. She used this data to study the associations between the consumption of different types of meat and the risk of developing dementia. “Worldwide, the prevalence of dementia is increasing and diet as a modifiable factor may play a rolesaid Huifeng Zhang, the lead researcher. Our research adds to the growing body of evidence linking processed meat consumption to an increased risk of various non-communicable diseases.” Dementia affects 5% to 8% of the world’s population over the age of 60.
The researchers studied the risks of developing dementia depending on the type of meat consumed and its frequency. The results showed that the consumption of unprocessed red meat, such as beef, pork or veal, is protective. People who consume 50g a day are 19% less likely to develop dementia. Among the participants, 2,896 cases of dementia emerged over an average of eight years of follow-up. These people were generally older, more economically deprived, less educated, more likely to smoke, less physically active, more likely to have a history of stroke, familial dementia, and to carry a gene strongly associated with dementia. Furthermore, more men than women have been diagnosed with dementia.
Fewer vegetables and fruits
The detailed analysis of the data allowed the researchers to conclude that those who consume greater amounts of processed meat have a 44% increased risk of developing dementia. They are more likely to be male, less educated, smokers, overweight or obese, have lower intakes of vegetables and fruits, and higher intakes of energy, protein and fats, including saturated fats. “Meat consumption has previously been associated with dementia risk, but this is believed to be the first large-scale study of participants over time to examine a link between specific types and amounts of meat and risk to develop the disease”, wrote the researchers.
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