A recent study suggests that older adults consuming high amounts of ultra-processed foods, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, deli meats, and fast food, may experience a significantly greater risk of cognitive decline compared to those who prefer whole, minimally processed foods. The findings were published online on June 3, 2026, in the American Journal of Public Health.
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The research involved 5,370 older adults who participated in the nationwide Health and Retirement Study, with an average age of 64 and a demographic of 55% women. Researchers tracked these participants over nearly nine years, from 2012 to 2020, requiring them to complete dietary questionnaires initially and undergo standardized memory and attention assessments every two years.
At the conclusion of the study, participants who consumed the most ultra-processed foods had a 58% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those with the lowest intake. Additionally, the highest consumers had a 46% greater risk of cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND).
Conversely, those who ate primarily whole, minimally processed foods experienced a 41% lower risk of dementia and a 24% reduced risk of CIND compared to their counterparts.
While this study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between diet and cognitive health, it aligns with existing evidence associating ultra-processed foods with risk factors like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and elevated LDL cholesterol, all of which are linked to cognitive decline. These findings underscore the importance of dietary choices for maintaining brain health.