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Medical professionals focused on preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease primarily try to identify the factors that contribute to the condition in each person. While genetics play a major role, environment and diet can also shape its course.
A team of researchers from Bond University and Griffith University in Australia studied the diets of 108 people with Alzheimer’s and 330 healthy participants. Their analysis uncovered which eating habits raise the risk of developing the disease.
What the Researchers Discovered
The team’s analysis linked daily consumption of meat and processed foods—like hamburgers and pizza—to Alzheimer’s.
People with Alzheimer’s typically ate fewer fruits and vegetables and, on average, drank less red and white wine than the healthy group. That strengthens the link between diet and dementia risk.
Alzheimer’s often begins to develop in middle age, but its roots can trace back to an uncontrolled lifestyle in youth. Tahira Ahmed, a PhD candidate and the study’s lead author, emphasized the role of dietary habits.
The researchers say processed foods and fast food may accelerate the onset of Alzheimer’s.
Their work adds to evidence that diet often plays a role in the development of dementia, as reported by Science Alert.
The scientists found that processed and ultra-processed foods can harm cognitive function. These products usually contain fewer nutrients and less fiber but higher amounts of ingredients to eat in moderation—sugar, salt, and fats.
“Such eating habits affect brain health and contribute to vascular problems and obesity,” Ahmed said.
If researchers continue to identify modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s, fewer people may develop the disease in the future.
Still, it’s never too early or too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle, the researchers say.
Ahmed says educating young people about the benefits of leafy greens, organic foods, and home-cooked meals—and the risks of regular unhealthy eating—is crucial.
The study’s findings were published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative condition that progressively destroys brain cells. It’s the most common form of dementia, accounting for about 65 percent of cases. The World Health Organization estimates roughly 26.6 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer’s, and that number continues to grow as the global population ages.
