I don’t know how many readers will be having a bbq and tucking into burgers or sausages as they read this.
But seeing as it’s a Wednesday (and not the weekend) I presume it’s safe to pass this on today…
Last week I read about a new study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in the USA which tracked the dietary habits of over 100,000 people for more than FOUR decades.
It delivered yet more worrying news about processed red meat. (I’m not talking about a juicy steak here, but bacon, hotdogs, sausages and other bbq staples.)
Now, you already know from these letters that processed red meat has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
But researchers have now uncovered a connection to dementia too.
This latest study has found that eating just two servings of processed red meat each week could raise your risk of cognitive decline by 14%. That is, compared with those who eat these kinds of food only occasionally (or never at all).
The study’s lead author said, “Processed red meat has also been shown to raise the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. It may affect the brain because it has high levels of harmful substances such as nitrites and sodium.”
Now, I personally don’t eat much meat at all anymore – and zero processed meat.
That’s not me trying to be smug, it’s just a health choice I made in recent years.
I’m no finger-wagger, and I understand that this can be an emotive issue for those who have grown up eating processed red meat and don’t want to give it up.
What’s more, I know that many readers LOVE a good bbq while the sun’s out.
If you are one of those, then there is some good news.
Dr Richard Oakley of the Alzheimer’s Society, says: “In this study more people who ate processed red meat went on to develop dementia and had worse memory and thinking skills.”
But he also warned that there was only an association between processed red meat and dementia.
This alone does not prove cause and effect.
What’s more, it could be a simple case of REDUCING your exposure.
For instance, the American research team suggests that replacing one daily serving of processed red meat with healthier options like nuts, beans, or tofu could lower your risk of developing dementia by as much as 23%.
Anyway, I just wanted to pass on this information and leave it to you to decide!
