Red meat can promote the risk of dementia

Red meat can promote the risk of dementia
Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / Thomasmaiwald

A new study shows that red meat can increase the risk of dementia. On the other hand, if you rely on herbal proteins and fish, you can protect cognitive health in the long term.

Red meat, especially processed, is not beneficial for health. The latter not only contains saturated fatty acids, but often also harmful preservatives and nitrates that have a negative impact on the body.

Red meat is suspected of favoring heart attacks and strokes, triggering inflammation in the intestine and increases the risk of colon cancer. New research results suggest another reason to do without it. According to the long -term study, red meat should increase the risk of dementia.

Study: Each portion of processed red meat is old by the brain by 1.6 years

Sausage harms the body, both the brain and the intestine can ignite with regular consumption.
Sausage harms the body, both the brain and the intestine can ignite with regular consumption.
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / Jarmoluk)

If you eat red meat regularly for a long time, you have a higher risk of developing dementia. In the research work, two previous cohort studies with a total of more than 100,000 people have been observed over a period of more than 40 years. The result was that the consumption of red meat, especially in processed form, is associated with a higher risk of cognitive expiry.

The analysis shows that even smaller amounts of red meat can be harmful. For people who eat at least 20 grams every day (for example two slices of bacon or a sausage), the probability of developing dementia was 13 percent higher than in people who ate less than 8 grams a day.

In addition, the study found that every additional portion processed red meat worsens the results of the cognitive function tests to a dimensions, which is comparable to natural aging by 1.6 years. This means that the more meat grinders end up on the plate the faster, the faster.

Ingredients such as saturated fatty acids, nitrate and preservatives are suspected of triggering inflammation in the body that result in a change in brain function.

Instead of red meat, prefer vegetable sources of protein to prevent dementia

Fish is an important source for omega-3 fatty acids, but should not land on the plate for environmental reasons.
Fish is an important source for omega-3 fatty acids, but should not land on the plate for environmental reasons.
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / Cattalin)

The good news: a change in diet can improve the health of the brain. The study showed that the replacement of red meat through plant -based protein sources such as nuts, legumes and fish reduces the risk of dementia by about 20 percent.

Fish that is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids can have a protective effect on the brain and prevent Alzheimer’s, while vegetable protein sources provide antioxidants and nutrients that support the health of the nervous system.

What you should pay attention to when buying fish: new “good fish” list for 2025: Which fish can you still eat?

The researchers: Inside, emphasize that this is another important finding that should be taken into account in future nutritional recommendations. So far, many have focused primarily on reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, but neglecting the effects of nutrition on intellectual health.

Read more on utopia.de:

  • Editor has not eaten meat for 13 years: her most important tip
  • Nutritional pyramid: These foods should become a habit
  • Animal husbandry is also needed for vegan nutrition – is that true?

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