Eating processed meats, starchy foods land sugary snacks together could increase people’s risk of developing dementia, according to a new study from France.
Researchers from the University of Bordeaux have found that it’s not just how much you eat, but also which foods are eaten together, that could impact on your chance of developing the disease.
They looked at 209 people with dementia and 418 without it – average age 78 – and followed them for 12 years.
The result? Dementia was more common among people who ate mostly processed meats like bacon, ham and sausages, starches like potatoes, and snacks such as biscuits and cakes.
But the combination of foods made a difference too – with those who ate processed meats, starches and sugary food together having the highest risk.
Those who had a wider diet that included fruits, vegetables, seafood and poultry were less likely to develop the disease.
While the researchers say they can’t be sure if these foods cause dementia – or that healthier foods prevent it – they say it is clear that dementia can start developing years before symptoms appear – and diet does play an important role.
“Worse eating habits toward charcuterie and snacking were evident years before dementia diagnosis in our cohort. In contrast, diverse and healthy diets appear to decrease the risk to develop dementia,” study author Cécilia Samieri, PhD, said.
The lesson? Eat your fruit and veg – and try to mix it up.
A cheeseburger doesn’t count.
