Preliminary research presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference revealed that replacing one serving of processed red meat per day with healthier foods can reduce dementia risk by 20%. The study tracked over 130,000 participants for more than 40 years, finding that consuming more than two weekly servings of processed red meats increased dementia risk by 14%. Additionally, each daily serving of processed red meat was linked to over 1.6 years of cognitive aging and nearly 1.7 years of verbal memory decline.

Experts emphasize that diets lower in fat and sugar, and higher in vegetables, benefit brain health. The study suggests including recommendations to limit processed red meat in dietary guidelines, as it also raises the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. While the research indicates a significant association between processed red meat and dementia, it does not establish a direct cause and effect, highlighting the importance of overall health consciousness. Reducing animal product consumption could also significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the broader environmental benefits of dietary changes.