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Ultra‐processed food intake, cognitive function, and dementia risk: A cross‐sectional study of middle‐aged and older Australian adults
The growing prevalence of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in modern diets raises critical questions regarding their impact on cognitive health. Research has established a connection between UPF consumption and over 30 adverse health effects, including significant risk factors for dementia like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. This study focuses on the correlation between UPF intake and cognitive performance and dementia risk scores, assessing whether these associations persist regardless of overall diet quality.
In this cross-sectional analysis, 2,192 Australian adults aged 40 to 70 years, all free of dementia, were evaluated. Their dietary habits were monitored using a validated food frequency questionnaire and classified according to the NOVA classification system. Cognitive abilities were assessed using the Cogstate Brief Battery, and dementia risk was determined with the CAIDE tool.
The results revealed that each 10% increase in UPF intake was associated with a decrease in attention scores of −0.05 points and an increase in dementia risk of +0.24 points, findings that remained consistent even after accounting for adherence to the Mediterranean diet.
This study concludes that elevated consumption of ultra-processed foods correlates with diminished attention capabilities and heightened modifiable dementia risk, independent of general dietary quality. Notably, no significant relationship was identified between UPF intake and memory. These findings underscore the importance of food processing as a significant determinant in cognitive health. [NPID: Ultra-processed, cognitive performance, dementia]
Year: 2026
