{"id":4626,"date":"2026-06-05T14:06:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/05\/crisps-and-ham-sandwiches-may-raise-dementia-risk\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T14:06:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T14:06:12","slug":"crisps-and-ham-sandwiches-may-raise-dementia-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bangbizarre.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/05\/crisps-and-ham-sandwiches-may-raise-dementia-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Crisps and ham sandwiches may raise dementia risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

2026-06-05 14:06:10<\/b>
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Eating foods such as crisps, biscuits and even ham sandwiches could significantly increase the risk of dementia.

\nResearchers from Harvard University found that people consuming high amounts of ultra-processed foods every day had a 58 per cent greater chance of developing dementia compared to those who ate less.

\nThe study also linked junk food consumption to a 46 per cent higher risk of mild cognitive impairment, often considered an early warning sign of dementia.

\nScientists tracked more than 5,300 Americans over a period of 10 years, analysing their diets and cognitive health.

\nAmong the biggest contributors to dementia risk were processed meats, including bacon, hot dogs and sliced ham, a staple sandwich filling for millions.

\nExperts said the findings add to growing evidence that ultra-processed foods may have a harmful impact on the brain.

\nProfessor Cindy Leung, associate professor of public health nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a study co-author, warned there may be no completely safe level of consumption.

\nShe said: “Just to say, \u2018Well, I don\u2019t eat all my calories from ultraprocessed foods, I\u2019m safe.\u2019 It really shows there may not be a safe level.”

\nHowever, she highlighted a more encouraging finding from the research.

\nProfessor Leung said: “Those who ate the most minimally processed whole foods\u2026 were 41 per cent less likely to develop dementia.”

\nPublished in the American Journal of Public Health, the study found people consuming more than two pounds of ultra-processed food daily faced the highest risk.

\nResearchers stressed they could not prove the foods directly caused dementia.

\nBut they said the link was “biologically plausible” and consistent with mounting scientific evidence that ultra-processed products can affect brain function.

\nMany such foods are high in sugar, salt and saturated fat, while some scientists suspect additives may also play a role.

\nDr Alex Henney, an endocrinologist at the University of Liverpool, said ultra-processed foods can contribute to obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, all recognised risk factors for dementia.

\nHe also suggested ingredients such as emulsifiers and preservatives may trigger inflammation in the body, another process increasingly linked to cognitive decline.

\nThe findings add to growing calls for people to swap heavily processed foods for more natural alternatives to help protect long-term brain health.
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