Older adults who ate the most ultra-processed foods (UPF) had a higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, while those eating more minimally processed foods had lower risk. 🥤🍔🥗
Published In: American Journal of Public Health
Date: June 2026
Authors: Lee, et al.
Link to Study: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308505
Summary
This study followed 5,370 U.S. adults aged 50 and older from the Health and Retirement Study to examine whether ultra-processed food intake was linked with later cognitive problems. Over a median follow-up of 8.7 years, people in the highest ultra-processed food group had higher risk of dementia, cognitive impairment without dementia, and either condition combined. In contrast, eating more unprocessed or minimally processed foods was linked with lower risk.
Key Takeaways
✅ People who ate the most ultra-processed foods had a 58% higher risk of dementia compared with those who ate the least.
✅ High ultra-processed food intake was also linked to a 46% higher risk of cognitive impairment without dementia and a 47% higher risk of cognitive impairment or dementia combined.
✅ Minimally processed foods, such as whole or simple foods, were linked with lower risks of dementia and cognitive impairment.
✅ The study was observational, so it cannot prove ultra-processed foods directly cause dementia, but it adds evidence that diet quality may matter for brain aging.
Why It Matters for You
Small swaps may support long-term brain health: choose more minimally processed foods like vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, eggs, fish, and home-prepared meals, while cutting back on packaged snacks, sugary drinks, fast foods, processed meats, and ready-to-eat meals.
Citation
Lee, H., McEvoy, C. T., Martinez Steele, E., Khandpur, N., Heeringa, S. G., Ryan, L. H., Langa, K. M., Wolfson, J. A., & Leung, C. W. (2026). Ultraprocessed foods and the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in older US adults: 2013–2020 Health and Retirement Study. American Journal of Public Health, e1–e12. https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308505