Older adults facing food insecurity are at significantly higher risk of cognitive decline, especially before age 65.
Published In: JAMA Network Open
Date: September 2025
Authors: Lee et al.
Link to Study: Read it here
Summary
This large, national study followed adults over 50 for nearly 9 years to explore how food insecurity affects brain health. Researchers found that people with low or very low food security were up to 80% more likely to develop cognitive issues like memory loss or dementia compared to those with enough to eat. The risks were even more pronounced in adults under 65, suggesting that early-life interventions could be especially powerful.
Key Takeaways
✅ Low food security increased the risk of dementia by 72%.
✅ Very low food security raised the risk of cognitive impairment with no dementia (CIND) by 79%.
✅ Adults under 65 with food insecurity faced the highest risks for cognitive decline.
✅ The link held even after adjusting for income, health, and lifestyle factors.
Why It Matters for You
If you or someone you care about struggles to access nutritious food, it may not only affect physical health, but also brain health. Supporting food security through community programs, SNAP benefits, or local food resources could help protect memory and thinking as we age.
Citation
Lee, H., Ludwig-Borycz, E., Heeringa, S. G., Ryan, L. H., Langa, K. M., McEvoy, C. T., Wolfson, J. A., & Leung, C. W. (2025). Food insecurity and risk of dementia and cognitive impairment in US older adults. JAMA Network Open, 8(9), e2533592. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.33592