Study Highlights Risks of Processed Foods for Brain Health

Focusing on the implications of junk food, researchers from Virginia Tech have determined that ultra-processed meats and drinks are particularly detrimental to brain health.

Those who indulged in even one additional serving of these items exhibited a markedly higher risk of cognitive impairments, some linked to dementia types like Alzheimer’s disease.

Utilizing data from the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study, the study observed 4,750 individuals aged 55 and older, monitoring their health over a span of up to seven years and assessing cognitive status every two years from 2014 to 2020.

Previous studies have examined the negative fallout from ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in general. However, no one had strictly compared different types of these foods. It’s now well understood that a diet rich in UPFs contributes to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, depression, and overall increased mortality.

It wasn’t shocking that UPFs adversely affect brain health. The more pressing question was: which specific junk foods are at the heart of this issue?

The findings reveal that popular comfort foods—like processed meats and sugary drinks—are significant contributors. A combination of, say, a meaty pizza paired with soda could spell double trouble for brain health.

To evaluate cognitive decline, researchers conducted standard brain health tests, such as assessing immediate and delayed recall, alongside tasks like counting backward or subtracting in succession.

From the group, 1,363 participants developed some form of cognitive impairment. Those consuming at least one extra serving of ultra-processed animal products daily faced a 17 percent increase in risk for cognitive issues.

Sugar-laden beverages like sodas and sugary fruit drinks were similarly harmful, correlating with a 6 percent uptick in cognitive issue risk for those who drank at least one more serving daily.

Interestingly, the researchers noted that the total intake of UPFs did not significantly correlate with increased cognitive impairment risk. Other types of UPFs—including sweets, savory snacks, and ready meals—didn’t show a similar association.

This research highlights a straightforward, albeit challenging, way for individuals to safeguard their brain health: by cutting back on ultra-processed meats and sugary drinks.

“There are changes you can make,” says Brenda Davy, a professor of human nutrition and co-author of the study. “It’s about moderation and balanced dietary choices.”

It’s quite staggering when you consider that around 65 percent of foods and 38 percent of beverages purchased by U.S. households in 2020 were classified as UPFs, known for their high level of industrial processing and artificial additives—ingredients typically absent in home-cooked meals.

Moreover, both younger and older adults derive over half of their daily calories from these ultra-processed items.

The researchers propose that cooking classes might be a vital part of healthcare interventions—understanding what to eat and how to prepare it can significantly impact making healthier food choices.

As Ben Katz, a human development scientist at Virginia Tech, points out, “It’s one thing to follow a diet, but it’s another to equip people with cooking skills to prepare it.” Therefore, even if the junk food statistics appear daunting, there is a clear and achievable approach to addressing cognitive decline.

This study is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.