Australia and US studies link ultra-processed foods to higher dementia risk

A cross‑sectional study of 2,192 Australian adults aged 40‑70 found that each 10 % increase in ultra‑processed food (UPF) intake was associated with lower attention scores (‑0.05 points) and a higher dementia risk score (+0.24 points), independent of adherence to a Mediterranean diet.

A comprehensive review of 81 meta‑analyses covering 13 health outcomes reported that high UPF consumption raises the risk of depression by 32 % and increases the likelihood of cognitive decline, with moderate‑certainty evidence linking UPFs to type‑2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The review noted that ultra‑processed foods now account for about 42 % of Australian calories and roughly 61 % of American intake.

A 10‑year JAMA Neurology study of 10,775 participants (average age 51) showed that diets in which 28 % or more of calories came from ultra‑processed foods were associated with a significantly higher risk of dementia. The study identified common UPFs such as sugary drinks, packaged cookies, refined‑grain cereals, snack chips, and processed meats as contributors.

Together, these findings suggest that diets high in industrially formulated foods may accelerate brain aging and increase dementia risk, prompting calls for reduced UPF consumption and greater emphasis on whole‑food nutrition.