Beware! Your ready-to-eat ultra-processed food may be readying you for stroke and dementia

Does your diet consist mainly of ultra-processed foods like ready-to-eat meals and chips? As per a new large-scale study, you may be at an increased risk of stroke and dementia.

The large-scale trial conducted by Harvard University researchers found that middle-aged adults who frequently consumed mass-produced items like fizzy drinks, burgers, cakes and sweets were more likely to report memory issues. The research has been published in the journal Neurology.

What makes ultra-processed food harmful?

The research, conducted over 11 years, has concluded that the harmful effects of ultra-processed foods stem from their manufacturing processes rather than just their high-calorie content.

It suggests that additives in these foods can disrupt gut bacteria, causing inflammation that is linked to chronic diseases.

The study examined data from over 30,000 adults aged 45 and older, tracked for 11 years.

As part of the study, they were asked to complete questionnaires about their diet and were categorised into four groups based on their consumption of processed foods. These groups ranged from people who ate the most and the least processed foods.

By the study's end, 1,108 participants had suffered a stroke, and 768 had been diagnosed with cognitive impairment, an early sign of dementia. Researchers found that the risk of dementia was 16 per cent higher in people who consumed the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods.

The risk of stroke also rose by eight per cent with increased consumption of these foods, regardless of overall calorie intake. These results were adjusted for other dementia and stroke risk factors, including age, sex, and high blood pressure.

Dangers of processed food

Dr William Taylor Kimberly, the study's lead author, as quoted by The Times, said, "We found that increased consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a higher risk of both stroke and cognitive impairment."

"Our findings show that the degree of food processing plays an important role in overall brain health. More research is needed to confirm these results and to better understand which food or processing components contribute most to these effects," added Kimberly.

The results contribute to the increasing evidence linking ultra-processed foods to various health problems such as heart disease, cancer, depression and diabetes.

(With inputs from agencies)