Unexpected harm from red meat surprised scientists

American scientists have established a link between red meat consumption and accelerated cognitive aging, as well as an increased risk of dementia.

As reported by Baku.ws, the study was published in the journal Neurology.

During the study, specialists analyzed data from more than 133,000 US healthcare workers, tracking their diet and health conditions over 40 years.

The results showed that regular consumption of processed red meat, such as bacon, sausages, and hot dogs, increases the risk of dementia by 16%. Even two servings per week increase the likelihood of the disease by 14% compared to those who eat it less than three times a month. However, replacing red meat with plant-based proteins, such as nuts, legumes, or tofu, reduces this risk by 19%.

In addition to the negative impact on cognitive functions, excess red meat in the diet is associated with high levels of saturated fats, which contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Also, large amounts of salt in processed meat products can cause hypertension and inflammatory processes in the body, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Experts note that nutrition plays a key role in maintaining brain health. Beneficial fats found in nuts, fish, avocados, and olive oil protect blood vessels, while foods high in fiber improve gut microflora, which also helps prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

Researchers emphasize that it's important to maintain balance in nutrition. Complete elimination of processed foods can be difficult, but reducing red meat consumption and increasing the proportion of plant-based foods in the diet will help maintain brain health and slow down aging processes.