A recent Australian study links the consumption of ultraprocessed foods to lower attention scores and an increased risk of dementia, even among individuals who maintain otherwise healthy diets.
A new study from Australia has established a connection between the consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) and a decline in cognitive function, specifically lower attention scores and a heightened risk of dementia. This research, published in the journal *Alzheimer’s and Dementia* by the Alzheimer’s Association, highlights the adverse health outcomes associated with UPFs, which include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
Researchers from Monash University analyzed the dietary habits of over 2,000 dementia-free adults aged 40 to 70. Their findings revealed that each 10% increase in UPF intake correlated with diminished attention scores and an elevated risk of dementia, irrespective of whether participants adhered to a generally healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet. Interestingly, the study did not find a significant relationship between UPF consumption and memory.
The researchers concluded that identifying food processing as a factor contributing to poorer cognitive function underscores the necessity to refine dietary guidelines. However, they acknowledged that the reliance on self-reported data could limit the strength of their findings.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist based in California and founder of Amen Clinics, emphasized the profound impact of diet on brain health. “Your brain is an energy-hungry organ,” he stated, noting that it utilizes approximately 20% of the calories consumed. Therefore, the quality of those calories is crucial.
Dr. Amen described food as either “medicine or poison,” criticizing ultraprocessed options such as packaged snacks, soft drinks, and ready-made meals, which are often high in sugar, unhealthy fats, additives, and low-quality ingredients. He explained that these foods can lead to inflammation, insulin resistance, poor blood flow, and oxidative stress, all of which are detrimental to brain health.
The study indicated that even a modest increase of 10% in ultraprocessed food intake—roughly equivalent to one pack of chips per day—was linked to a measurable decline in attention, even among individuals who otherwise maintained healthy diets. “Attention is the gateway to learning, memory, decision-making, and problem-solving,” Dr. Amen noted. “If you can’t focus, you can’t fully encode information.”
Dr. Amen highlighted the importance of choosing foods that promote well-being. “You may love the taste of chips, cookies, and candy, but they don’t love you (or your brain) back,” he cautioned. He pointed out that while ultraprocessed foods may advertise themselves as sugar-free, low-carb, or keto-friendly, the processing can compromise the natural structure of food and introduce additives or chemicals that may negatively impact cognition.
To foster better brain health, Dr. Amen recommends focusing on whole foods derived from plants or animals rather than those manufactured in plants. He advises building meals around colorful vegetables and fruits, clean proteins, healthy fats, nuts, seeds, and high-fiber carbohydrates. “Start by replacing one ultraprocessed food per day with a brain-healthy option,” he suggested. This could involve swapping chips for nuts, soda for water or unsweetened green tea, and packaged sweets for berries. “Small choices done consistently can change your brain and your life,” he emphasized.
Given that ultraprocessed foods have been shown to exacerbate several risk factors for dementia, Dr. Amen urges individuals at risk of cognitive decline to prioritize preventive measures as early as possible. “If you have a family history of dementia, memory concerns, diabetes, high blood pressure, or weight issues, your diet is not a side issue—it’s a primary brain-health intervention,” he stated. “Remember, you’re not stuck with the brain you have. You can make it better, and it starts with the next bite.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers for further comments.