Melbourne – (The Cow new digital) A new international study conducted by Monash University, the University of São Paulo, and Deakin University has found that high consumption of ultra-processed foods may negatively affect attention span and increase the risk of dementia.
The research, published in the Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, analyzed dietary habits and cognitive health of more than 2,100 Australian adults. Participants were middle-aged or older and had no prior diagnosis of dementia at the start of the study.
Findings suggest that even a modest increase in daily intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is associated with noticeable declines in attention and cognitive performance. Researchers noted that these effects were observed even among individuals who otherwise maintained what was considered a relatively balanced diet.
Lead researcher Dr. Barbara Cardoso, affiliated with Monash University’s Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food as well as the Victorian Heart Institute, said the results highlight a strong connection between industrially processed food consumption and cognitive decline over time.
She explained that ultra-processed foods, which often include packaged snacks, sugary beverages, and ready-to-eat meals, tend to contain high levels of additives, preservatives, and refined ingredients that may contribute to long-term neurological effects.
Experts involved in the study emphasized that the findings do not suggest immediate or direct causation, but rather indicate a significant association that requires further long-term investigation. They also noted that lifestyle factors such as physical activity, overall diet quality, and education level were taken into account during analysis.
Health researchers are increasingly warning that diets high in processed foods may not only contribute to physical health issues such as obesity and cardiovascular disease but could also play a role in brain health deterioration.
The study adds to a growing body of global research encouraging reduced consumption of ultra-processed foods in favor of whole, minimally processed diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and natural ingredients.
Public health experts say the findings reinforce the importance of dietary awareness, particularly as processed food consumption continues to rise worldwide due to convenience and affordability.
Further research is expected to explore the long-term neurological impacts of dietary patterns across different populations.
