Discover the breakfast food you must ditch immediately to slash your dementia risk by 20%!

As we age, our morning routines and the first meal of the day become cherished rituals. For many of us, breakfast wouldn't be complete without the sizzle of bacon in the pan. However, a major study has delivered a wake-up call that might change how we think about our breakfast favourites.


In groundbreaking research presented by experts from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, it has been found that adding processed red meats like bacon to your morning meal could significantly increase your risk of dementia. The study, described as one of the most 'robust' of its kind, followed over 100,000 adults for an impressive four decades to investigate the relationship between diet and cognitive health.


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Studies showed eating processed red meat like bacon may raise dementia risk by 14 per cent. Credit: Shutterstock


The findings were startling: adults who consumed at least two servings of processed red meat per week were found to be 14 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those who indulged less than three times a month. But it's not all doom and gloom for meat lovers. The study also revealed a silver lining – by replacing just one serving of processed meat with a serving of nuts or legumes, you could reduce your risk of cognitive decline by a whopping 20 per cent.


Processed meats, including bacon, sausages, and deli slices, have long been under scrutiny for their health implications. This study adds to the growing body of evidence, showing a 14 per cent increased risk of dementia linked to these foods. The graph accompanying the research highlighted the rates of Alzheimer's disease per 100,000 people, both age-standardized and across all ages, illustrating the impact of diet on cognitive health.

Dr Maria Carrillo, chief science officer of the Alzheimer's Association, praised the study for its robust methodology and long-term follow-up, which adds weight to the association between processed meat consumption and dementia. Over the 43-year study period, participants provided detailed nutritional data every two to four years, allowing researchers to draw more accurate conclusions about the long-term effects of diet on brain health.

The study also found that each additional serving of processed meat per day could add an extra 1.6 years of cognitive aging, particularly affecting areas of the brain responsible for language and behaviour. However, unprocessed red meats like ground beef and steak did not show the same risks, suggesting that moderation and processing are key factors.


Processed meats are often high in nitrates, chemicals used to preserve freshness and colour. When ingested, these nitrates can transform into nitrosamines, which are harmful to cells and neurons and can impair cognitive function. They also promote inflammation in the brain, leading to the breakdown of neurotransmitters and the formation of plaques that degrade brain health.

Moreover, the saturated fat and cholesterol content in bacon and similar meats can contribute to atherosclerosis, a condition where fat builds up in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the brain and leading to cognitive decline. The high sodium content in these foods can also lead to hypertension, further damaging brain vessels over time.

It's important to note that the study had its limitations. The participants were predominantly white and from a higher socioeconomic class, which may not represent the broader population. Additionally, as an observational study, it can only suggest associations rather than direct causation.


Despite these limitations, the message is clear: it might be time to rethink our breakfast choices. Swapping out processed meats for healthier options like nuts and legumes not only offers a protective effect against dementia but also provides a host of anti-inflammatory benefits.

Key Takeaways
  • Eating processed red meat such as bacon may increase the risk of dementia, with a major study showing a 14% higher chance for frequent consumers.
  • Replacing processed meat servings with nuts or beans could reduce the risk of cognitive decline by 20%.
  • The findings are based on a study that followed over 100,000 adults for four decades, making it one of the most robust of its kind.
  • Although the study showed associations rather than direct causes and had some demographic limitations, it adds to a body of evidence suggesting the negative health impacts of processed meats.

So, dear members, as we sit down to our morning meal, let's consider making choices that could keep our minds sharp for years to come. Have you made any changes to your diet that have improved your health and well-being? Share your experiences in the comments below – your insights could be a beacon of inspiration for others looking to make positive lifestyle adjustments.
 
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Well I have not had a fried breakfast in over 50 years - I am 83 - and I have had dementia for at least ten of them. I have come to the conclusion Dementia is a natural part of growing old; especially if you inherit certain genes that pass it on.. The thing to remember is that I am one of the privileged ones to live so long what with the Second World War, Polio, Asian Flue, and now the Corona Virus and all the other germs flying around these days.
 
Well, I'm a bugger for triple smoked ham. We always have it in supply for a sambo, or on toast. When we go into town, 35 K's away, the better half always has an egg & bacon roll for morning tea. I swap around for same or a chicken, cheese & avo on turkish, heated up. The chicken is cut thick & the real deal. Always a great serving of bacon & 2 eggs on their rolls both at $9.90 each. Great value & Luv 'em.

Are we "DOOMED" ?
 
Well, I'm a bugger for triple smoked ham. We always have it in supply for a sambo, or on toast. When we go into town, 35 K's away, the better half always has an egg & bacon roll for morning tea. I swap around for same or a chicken, cheese & avo on turkish, heated up. The chicken is cut thick & the real deal. Always a great serving of bacon & 2 eggs on their rolls both at $9.90 each. Great value & Luv 'em.

Are we "DOOMED" ?
Absolutely hope you’ve got your will organised🤣🤣🤣
 
Well, I'm a bugger for triple smoked ham. We always have it in supply for a sambo, or on toast. When we go into town, 35 K's away, the better half always has an egg & bacon roll for morning tea. I swap around for same or a chicken, cheese & avo on turkish, heated up. The chicken is cut thick & the real deal. Always a great serving of bacon & 2 eggs on their rolls both at $9.90 each. Great value & Luv 'em.

Are we "DOOMED" ?
You sound like you are enjoying life. Eat what you want in moderation. People are always coming out with some scare campaign about something. We don’t live that long, but we are a long time dead. 🤨
 
Bacon is pig and I do not eat my close relatives :rolleyes:
Hope that stops me getting cognitive decline. (y)
Well I have not had a fried breakfast in over 50 years - I am 83 - and I have had dementia for at least ten of them. I have come to the conclusion Dementia is a natural part of growing old; especially if you inherit certain genes that pass it on.. The thing to remember is that I am one of the privileged ones to live so long what with the Second World War, Polio, Asian Flue, and now the Corona Virus and all the other germs flying around these days.
Let's hope you stay well at least till you get to 110
 
I just have a piece of dry toast and a cup of tea but only because I take a pain killer first thing. You should have something even a piece of fruit.😊
To busy feeding the bird. He doesn't eat seed he has nectar which I make him up a meal each morning, ready to go back to sleep for a while after that and he gets warm under the doona
 

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