Harvard Study: This Common Food Group Raises Your Risk of Dementia by 58 Percent

June 11, 2026

A recent Harvard study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that consuming high amounts of ultraprocessed foods significantly increases the risk of dementia. Adults who ate the largest quantities of these foods had a 58% higher risk of developing dementia and a 46% higher risk of cognitive impairment compared to those who ate the least.

Ultraprocessed foods are defined as items high in added sugar, fat, and salt while being low in protein and fiber. Common examples include soft drinks, salty and sugary snacks, ice cream, sausage, deep-fried chicken, ketchup, and mayonnaise. The research associates heavy intake of these foods with increased chronic illnesses, cognitive decline, and addictive behaviors.

The study offers a hopeful solution: swapping out just 10% of ultraprocessed foods with unprocessed or minimally processed alternatives like fruits and vegetables could lower dementia risk by 19%. This suggests that even modest dietary changes can have meaningful protective effects on brain health. Inc.