Can your diet prevent dementia?

Dementia, a chronic and debilitating condition characterized by a decline in cognitive function, affects millions of people worldwide. As the population continues to age, the prevalence of dementia is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. Therefore, understanding the risk factors and potential protective measures against this condition is crucial.

Recently, a new study has shed light on the link between diet and dementia risk. The study, published in the journal Neurology, found that processed red meat may increase the risk of dementia, while nuts and legumes may have a protective effect.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Leeds in the UK, analyzed data from over 500,000 people aged 40-69 years old. The participants were followed for an average of 8 years, during which 2,896 cases of dementia were reported. The researchers then looked at the participants’ diet and categorized them into five groups based on their consumption of processed red meat, unprocessed red meat, poultry, fish, and vegetable protein.