Imagine balls of meat, sausages and ham in your hands, which may not just be a fleeting pleasure for your taste buds, but memory thieves lurking at the dinner table, a new study reveals a non-negligible link between Alzheimer's disease and a meat-rich and processed daily diet.
The Bond University research team made the astonishing findings by taking a deep dive into the eating habits of 438 Australians – including 108 people with Alzheimer's disease and 330 healthy control group members. Those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease have processed meats such as meat pies, sausages, hams, pizzas, and burgers frequently present in their daily diets.
Even more worryingly, these patients have a significantly low intake of fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, strawberries, avocados, bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage and spinach, which are almost impossible to find on their plates. In stark contrast, they also drank red and white wine less frequently than healthy controls, although moderate alcohol consumption was thought to be good for the heart in some studies.
Alzheimer's disease, the relentless form of dementia, for which there is still no effective treatment, affects about 1 in 10 Chinese over the age of 65, and the proportion has soared to 30% among people over 85. It is not only the leading cause of death and disability among the elderly, but also an unbearable burden for families and society.
It is hoped that the results of this study will awaken the importance of healthy eating in young people and lay a solid foundation for future brain health. The development of Alzheimer's disease actually starts quietly in the brain from middle age, and its consequences can often be traced back to an unhealthy lifestyle at a young age. Educating young people about the benefits of leafy greens, organic food, and home-cooked meals is crucial, and these healthy eating habits have far-reaching implications for brain health, vascular problems, and obesity, compared to frequent consumption of junk and processed foods.
Previous studies have repeatedly highlighted the positive effects of the Mediterranean diet, or DASH (a dietary approach to preventing high blood pressure) in promoting brain health, but this is the first time that processed foods have been directly linked to Alzheimer's disease. Protecting memories starts with changing the choice of food in every bite. Let's act together to make the dining table the first line of defense against disease.
Ultra-processed foods are those that have undergone multiple processing steps and are enriched with a number of additives, preservatives, artificial colours, flavours and flavourings to extend shelf life, enhance flavor or enhance aesthetic appeal, often at the expense of the food's natural nutritional properties. Here are some examples of common ultra-processed foods:
1. Ready-to-eat convenience food: such as instant noodles, quick-frozen fast food, microwave-heated ready-to-eat meals, frozen pizza.
2. Snacks: potato chips, popcorn, shrimp crackers, jelly, chocolate bars, candies, cookies, cakes, desserts, etc.
3. Beverages: sodas, energy drinks, pre-packaged juices (not freshly squeezed), sugary teas, sports drinks.
4. Processed meats: sausages, hot dogs, bacon, processed hams, luncheon meats, and various processed meat products such as meatballs and skewers.
5. Artificial meat products: Some highly processed vegetarian meat substitutes, such as vegetarian chicken, vegetarian meatballs, etc., can also be classified as this category if they contain more additives.
6. Sauces and condiments: salad dressings, ketchup, barbecue sauces, seasoning packets, etc. containing artificial additives.
7. Breakfast cereals: Many breakfast cereals such as sweetened cereals, cereal bars, especially those that are highly sweetened and contain a variety of additives.
8. Dairy alternatives: Some highly processed, plant-based dairy products if they contain a lot of stabilizers, thickeners.
9. Canned foods: In addition to simple canned fruits and vegetables, these include those canned dishes with plenty of seasonings and preservatives.
10. Instant drinks and powdered foods: such as instant coffee, milk tea powder, instant soup, etc.
11. Energy bars and sports supplements: Although advertised as a health food, many products contain high-sugar, synthetic ingredients.
12. Simulated cheese and spreads: such as processed cheese slices, cream cheese substitutes, containing stabilizers and preservatives.
13. Frozen snacks: such as fish sticks, chicken nuggets, frozen hamburger patties, etc., especially those that contain additional additives to improve taste and extend shelf life.
While these foods are convenient and quick, regular consumption may be associated with a variety of health problems, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Therefore, it is recommended to moderate the intake of these foods in your daily diet and choose more fresh, natural and non-over-processed foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and legumes, etc., to maintain good health.
文献参考——Ahmed T, Zhang P, Kumar K; Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing. Equilibrium of Dietary Patterns Between Alzheimer's Disease Patients and Healthy People: A Comprehensive Analysis Using Multiple Factor Analysis and Classification Modeling. J Alzheimers Dis. 2024; 97(2):777-790. doi: 10.3233/JAD-230634. PMID: 38189748.