Dr. Noa Bergman explains what causes Alzheimer's, is there a way to prevent the disease, and how to treat someone who is already ill (Walla system!)
We all eat them - highly processed foods like frozen pizza or pre-made schnitzels make our busy lives much easier.
In fact, ultra-processed foods now make up two-thirds of the calories in the diets of children and teenagers, and these figures not only contribute to weight gain, but may even increase the risk of cognitive decline.
A study published Monday in the journal JAMA Neurology found that men and women who ate the most ultra-processed foods had a faster rate of overall cognitive decline (28 percent) and a faster rate of decline in executive functioning, which is largely responsible for emotional regulation and social and academic functioning ( 25 percent) compared to people who ate the least amount of processed food.
The study, presented at the 2022 Alzheimer's Association International Conference in San Diego, followed more than 10,000 Brazilians for up to 10 years.
Just over half of the study participants were women, educated people, and the average age was 51. Cognitive tests, which included immediate and delayed word recall, word recognition and verbal fluency, were performed at the beginning and end of the study, and the participants were asked about their diet.
"In Brazil, ultra-processed foods make up 25 to 30 percent of total calorie intake. We have McDonald's, Burger King and we eat a lot of chocolate and white bread. It's not very different, unfortunately, from many other Western countries," said one of the study's editors. R. Claudia Somoto, Assistant Professor in the Division of Geriatrics at the School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo.
"58 percent of calories consumed by US citizens, 56.8 percent of calories consumed by British citizens, and 48 percent of calories consumed by Canadians come from ultra-processed foods," Sumoto said.
packaged and ready to eat.
Pizza in the microwave (Photo: ShutterStock)
What is ultra-processed food?
According to the Israeli Ministry of Health, inclusive products include ingredients that you would have difficulty finding in the home kitchen, such as the extraction of food components, as well as industrial and sophisticated additives (that create or improve the color, texture and taste) that affect consumption habits and the natural feeling of satiety.
The ultra-processed food products are usually packaged, ready to eat immediately anywhere and anytime, or after minimal preparation (adding boiling water, heating in a microwave, etc.).
"People who consumed more than 20 percent of their daily calories from processed foods had a 28 percent faster decline in general cognition and a 25 percent faster decline in executive function compared to people who ate less than 20 percent," said study author Natalia Gonsalves, A.
Researcher in the Department of Pathology at the School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo.
Cheap, easy and can kill you
In addition to affecting cognition, ultra-processed foods are already known to increase the risk of obesity, heart and circulatory problems, diabetes, cancer and a shorter lifespan.
Processed foods are typically high in sugar, salt and fat, all of which promote inflammation throughout the body, which is "perhaps the greatest threat to healthy aging in the body and brain," Dr. Rudy Tanzi, a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and director of the hospital's Genetics and Aging Research Unit, told CNN. of Massachusetts General in Boston.
"Because they are convenient as a quick meal, they also replace eating foods rich in plant fibers that are important for maintaining the health and balance of the trillions of bacteria in your gut microbiome," Tanzi added, "which is especially important for brain health and reducing the risk of age-related brain diseases Like Alzheimer's disease."
health
Nutrition and diet
Preventive nutrition
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pizza
meat
diet
dementia
Alzheimer's
