Key points Is the consumption of ultra-processed foods associated with cognitive decline? Findings In a cohort study of 10,775 people, higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a higher rate of decline in executive and global function after a median follow-up of 8 years. Meaning These findings suggest that limiting consumption of ultra-processed foods could be associated with reduced cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults. |
Importance
Although the consumption of ultra-processed foods has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, little is known about the association of ultra-processed food consumption with cognitive decline.
Aim
To investigate the association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and cognitive impairment in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health.
Design, scope and participants
This was a multicenter prospective cohort study with 3 waves, approximately 4 years apart, from 2008 to 2017. Data were analyzed from December 2021 to May 2022. Participants were public servants aged 35 to 74 years recruited in 6 Brazilian cities.
Participants who, at baseline, had incomplete food frequency questionnaire, cognitive, or covariate data were excluded. Participants who reported extreme caloric intake (<600 kcal/day or >6000 kcal/day) and those taking medications that could negatively interfere with cognitive performance were also excluded.
Exhibitions
Daily consumption of ultra-processed foods as a percentage of total energy divided into quartiles.
Main results and measures
Changes in cognitive performance over time assessed by tests of immediate and delayed word recall, word recognition, phonemic and semantic verbal fluency, and version B of the Trail-Making test.
Results
A total of 15,105 people were recruited and 4,330 were excluded, leaving 10,775 participants whose data were analyzed. The mean (SD) age at baseline was 51.6 (8.9) years, 5,880 participants (54.6%) were female, 5,723 (53.1%) were white, and 6,106 (56.6%) were They had at least a college degree.
Over a median (range) follow-up of 8 (6-10) years , people with ultra-processed food consumption above the first quartile showed a 28% faster rate of global cognitive decline (β = −0.004; CI 95%, −0.006 to −0.001; P = 0.003) and a 25% faster rate of executive function decline (β = −0.003, 95% CI, −0.005 to 0.000; P = 0.01) compared to those in the first quartile.
Conclusions and relevance
A higher percentage of daily energy consumption from ultra-processed foods was associated with cognitive impairment among adults from an ethnically diverse sample. These findings support current public health recommendations on limiting consumption of ultra-processed foods due to their potential harm to cognitive function.
