Is it true that bad diet might lead to cognitive decline?

  

Is it true that bad diet might lead to cognitive decline?

How strong is the evidence that highly processed foods lead to cognitive decline?

According to a recent study, ultra-processed foods like burgers, chips, and packaged cookies must have more than 400–500 calories per day to raise the risk of cognitive deterioration.

Depending on the brand you choose, that's roughly comparable to two donuts or half a frozen pizza.

The results of the study, which involved 10,775 men and women in Brazil, showed that over the course of an 8-year period, persons who consumed more ultra-processed meals saw a 28% faster rate of global cognitive deterioration than those who consumed the least quantity of these foods.

The study, which was published in JAMA Neurology, shows alarming health effects since people in nations like the US and the UK consume more than 50% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods.

Only one element influences cognitive health: diet

Experts have, however, been quick to point out that the evidence isn't entirely conclusive.

According to Duane Mellor, a dietician at Aston University in the UK who was not involved in the study, "this study simply provides a correlation between intake of ultra-processed meals and cognitive deterioration."

Since the data are observational, there is just evidence of association rather than causality, which is the issue.

Mellor asserted that the science underlying the detrimental effects of ultra-processed meals like donuts on people's health is well understood. He said that it was difficult to determine whether these foods were any worse for you than diets high in added sugar, salt, and fat.

Experts also assert that the study disregards other elements influencing the deterioration of cognitive health.

People who consume a lot of ultra-processed food may have been consuming fewer vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and legumes, according to Mellor.

When it comes to cognitive health, there are several factors outside nutrition that might contribute to deterioration, including exercise, alcohol, smoking, cardiovascular illness, and metabolic disease. These elements weren't examined in the study's analysis.

Gunter Kuhnle, a professor of nutrition and food science at the University of Reading in the UK, stated that this makes it "nearly impossible" to draw any inferences from the data.

Major global health issues are being caused by due to unhealthy foods.

Despite differences of opinion over specific research, medical and nutrition specialists like Mellor concur that diet and nutrition are currently among the major risk factors for people's health all over the world. There is no doubt that obesity has surpassed hunger as a global issue.

Obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and an increase in all-cause mortality are all associated with foods that are heavy in fat, sugar, and salt, whether they are ultra-processed or not (deaths in a given population).

Developing nations, where the sale of processed foods is expanding at the quickest rates, are thought to be particularly at risk in the future years, according to a new assessment from the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems Nutrition, an independent organisation of experts on nutrition and health.

Over 3 billion people, according to the report.

What can you do to eat healthily more often?

Eating healthily can be as simple as making a few small changes to your diet. Start by adding more fruits and vegetables to your meals. Increase the number of lean proteins like fish, beans, and nuts. Reduce the number of refined carbohydrates such as white bread and pasta, and replace them with whole grain options. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and limit your intake of sugary drinks. Finally, consider adding some moderate exercise to your daily routine. These small steps can help you make big changes to your health.