These foods are the silent enemy of the brain

The study used data from the University of Michigan's Health and Retirement Study to track 4,750 American participants aged 55 and older for up to seven years. Cognitive status was assessed every two years between 2014 and 2020.

THEY THREATEN BRAIN HEALTH

According to the results, individuals who consumed more than one serving of ultra-processed animal products (e.g., sausage, salami, ready-made meat pizzas) daily had a 17 percent increased risk of cognitive impairment. For sugary drinks (soda, sweetened iced tea, fruit-flavored drinks), this risk was found to be 6 percent.

Another notable finding in the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was that no overall association was established between total ultra-processed food consumption and cognitive impairment. Desserts, snacks, and processed foods based on grains or dairy products showed no negative effects. However, products in the meat and beverage groups had by far the most negative impact on brain health.

'THERE ARE THINGS THAT CAN BE CHANGE'

According to Euronews, Brenda Davy, a nutrition professor at Virginia Tech University, emphasized that individuals can have control in this regard, saying, "There are things that can be changed. The important thing is to be moderate and make reasonable and balanced dietary choices."

Ben Katz, a human development expert from the same university, emphasized the importance of cooking skills in healthy eating by saying, "Following a diet is one thing, but providing people with the skills to prepare that diet is quite another."

According to the study, ultra-processed products accounted for 65% of food and 38% of beverage purchases by US households in 2020. Young people and older adults get more than half of their daily calories from these products.

Experts say cutting back on ultra-processed meats and sugary drinks is one of the simplest yet most effective steps you can take to protect your brain health.