Eating more ultraprocessed foods is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and stroke, even if a person is trying to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet or the MIND diet, a new study found. All three diets are plant-based, focused on consuming more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds while limiting sugar, red meat and ultraprocessed foods. “If you increased your ultraprocessed food intake by 10 per cent in the study, it increased your risk of cognitive impairment by 16 per cent,” said cardiologist Dr.
Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver. He was not involved in the study. The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App “You can always extrapolate and say, ‘Well, if someone increases their ultraprocessed food consumption by 100 per cent, then they have 160 per cent chance of cognitive impairment,’” he said.
“Of course, this study can only show an association, not a direct cause and effect.” On the flip side, eating more unprocessed or minimally processed foods was linked with a 12 per cent lower risk of cognitive impairment, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal Neurology. Unprocessed foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs and milk.
Minimally processed foods include culinary ingredients such as salt, herbs and oils and foods such as canned goods and frozen vegetables that combine culinary ingredients w.
