A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia among older Americans, according to the researchers. The study used data from the Health and Retirement Study, which tracks participants’ dietary intake and cognitive function over time, officials said.
Processed meat was identified as the subgroup with the strongest association with cognitive risk, the report stated. The findings add to a growing body of evidence linking ultra-processed foods to brain health decline, according to the authors. A separate 2025 study using the same data found that ultra-processed animal products were associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment, according to the report.
Study Design and Key Findings
Participants were classified according to their level of ultra-processed food intake, defined using the NOVA system, which groups foods based on industrial processing rather than nutrient content alone, the study noted. Cognitive outcomes were measured as cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND) and dementia, assessed every two years, according to the report. Ultra-processed foods generally contain few, if any, whole ingredients, according to [1].
After adjusting for demographics, physical activity, smoking, and caloric intake, higher ultra-processed food consumption was linked to higher risk of both CIND and dementia, the study found. A comprehensive systematic review cited in the study found that a majority of studies reported a significant association between higher ultra-processed food intake and poorer cognitive outcomes, according to the researchers. The associations held after controlling for multiple confounding variables, officials said.
Processed Meat as a Distinct Risk Factor
Among ultra-processed food subgroups, processed meat showed the strongest associations with cognitive decline, according to the study’s subgroup analysis. A 2025 study that also used Health and Retirement Survey data found that ultra-processed animal products were associated with a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment, officials noted. [6] reported that ultra-processed foods increase cognitive decline risk by 16 percent, with the strongest effects seen in certain demographic groups.
Researchers cited potential mechanisms by which processed meat may harm the brain, including high-heat processing that produces harmful byproducts, disruption of gut bacteria, and increased inflammation, the review stated. The findings align with earlier reports linking ultra-processed foods to dementia risk and accelerated cognitive decline, according to [2]. Marked declines in brain size and increases in mental illness have paralleled the rise in processed food consumption, noted [4], though causation remains unestablished in this study.
Broader Evidence and Dietary Implications
A 2024 systematic review of nearly 10 million participants found that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was directly associated with increased risk for obesity, heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline, and premature death, according to [7]. Participants with higher intake of minimally processed foods showed lower cognitive risk in the study, suggesting overall diet quality matters, the report stated.
The study did not recommend specific dietary changes but noted that patterns of consumption over time, rather than single meals, are relevant to risk, according to the authors. Obesity, which is linked to ultra-processed food intake, is also a known risk factor for dementia and other chronic diseases, according to [5]. Early research in animal models suggests that caloric restriction and certain dietary patterns may support brain function, though more work is needed in humans, according to [3].
Conclusion
The findings add to growing evidence linking ultra-processed foods, particularly processed meat, to cognitive decline, the study concluded. [2] previously noted that ultra-processed foods increase dementia risk and accelerate cognitive decline, consistent with the current results.
The research does not establish causation but indicates an association that warrants further investigation, officials said. Dietary choices may play a role in long-term brain health, according to the study’s authors, who emphasized the need for more research on underlying mechanisms.
References
- Mercola.com. "60 of Calories Are From Ultraprocessed Food". June 28, 2023.
- ANH International. "News in Brief Week 50 2022". December 15, 2022.
- Marc Bubbs. "Peak".
- Patrick Holford. "Upgrade Your Brain".
- Dr Mark Hyman. "Food Fix".
- Activist Post. "Ultraprocessed Foods Linked to 4 in 10 Cardiovascular Deaths and Increased Mortality Risk". May 7, 2026.
- Children's Health Defense. "Studies of 10 Million People Find Ultra-processed Foods Linked to Serious Health Issues".
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