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BackStudy links increased intake of processed meat to increased risk of dementia
Study links increased intake of processed meat to increased risk of dementia
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自由时报1 hour agoHealth2 min readChinaView original

Study links increased intake of processed meat to increased risk of dementia

processed meatDementiaAlzheimer's disease

Quick Look

  • A 2026 research review found that an increase in processed meat intake of 25 grams per day was associated with a 44% increase in overall dementia risk and a 52% increase in Alzheimer's disease risk.
  • The study was based on observational data from 493,888 participants in the UK Biobank, followed for an average of about eight years, but could not prove cause and effect.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Processed meats such as ham, bacon and sausages are commonly found at breakfast and on family dinner tables, but their link to dementia has long been a concern. This study integrated multiple pieces of evidence, specifically citing large-scale observational data from the British Biobank.

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2026/10/05 14:45

Research has found that increased intake of processed meat is associated with an increased risk of overall dementia and Alzheimer's disease. (File photo)

[Compiled by Chen Chengliang/Comprehensive Report] Processed meats such as ham, bacon, and sausages often appear in breakfasts, sandwiches, or on the family table, but is the amount of meat eaten related to dementia? The latest research review in 2026 compiled existing evidence and found that an increase in processed meat intake of 25 grams per day would increase the overall risk of dementia by 44%, and the risk of Alzheimer's disease increased by as much as 52%.

According to "Fox News", this 2026 research review published in the "Annual Review of Nutrition" was co-written by researchers from Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center (Pennington Biomedical Research Center) and other institutions in the United States, sorting out the evidence related to ultra-processed foods and brain aging, cognitive function and dementia.

Please read on...

One of the important data comes from the UK Biobank, which analyzed the diet and health data of 493,888 participants, followed for an average of about 8 years. The results found that for every 25 grams of daily processed meat intake, the overall risk of dementia increased by 44%; further analysis of Alzheimer's disease showed a 52% increase in risk.

Processed meats, as the study calls them, include foods such as ham, sausage, bacon and hot dogs. This type of food is also commonly found in breakfast restaurants in sausage omelets, ham omelettes, sandwiches, burgers or family tables. However, 25 grams is the intake increase used in research analysis, which does not mean that eating a certain fixed weight will definitely increase the same risk.

This study of nearly 490,000 people is an observational generational study, so it can only show a statistical association between processed meat intake and the risk of dementia, but cannot prove that eating processed meat directly causes dementia. The 2026 research review also pointed out that the possible mechanisms between ultra-processed foods and brain health still require more research to clarify.

Open Questions

  • What are the specific biological mechanisms by which ultra-processed foods affect brain health?
  • Do different types of processed meat carry the same risks?
  • Could reducing processed meat intake significantly reduce the incidence of dementia?

Related Topics

processed meat
OrganizationsLouisiana State University Pennington Biomedical Research CenterBritish BiobankAnnual Review of Nutritionfox news
PlacesTaiwanUnited KingdomLouisiana, USA
TopicsDementiaAlzheimer's diseaseBritish Biobankultra-processed foodbrain healthannual review of nutrition
This article was originally published by 自由时报.

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