While the US government grapples with a formal definition of Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), health professionals easily picture soft drinks, potato chips, and frozen pizza as prime offenders. 1 Prior research supports the hypothesis that UPFs are linked with poor mental health. 2 New research takes a closer look at how UPFs impact older adults with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). 3
To identify the link between diet quality and risk of dementia in those with biomarker levels of AD. These included phosphorylated tau at threonine 217 [p-tau217]) and other neurodegenerative and glial processes (neurofilament light chain [NFL], glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]).
The cohort included 1865 adults over age 60 without AD. Participants came from the population-based Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen, which enrolled subjects from March 2001 to August 2004 and evaluated them up to 6 times, until February 2016 to November 2019.
Researchers evaluated compliance with 3 different diet patterns: the Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED), Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), and reversed Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index (rEDII). Data were analyzed between September 2024 and August 2025 and reanalyzed in March and April 2026.
Serum p-tau217, NFL, and GFAP concentrations at baseline and repeated adherence over 6 years to the AMED, AHEI, and rEDII dietary patterns were examined.
The main outcome was all-cause dementia found through medical records, clinical diagnosis, and death records. AD-related dementia was the secondary outcome. Risk for dementia was evaluated using adjusted Cox regression models. Probabilities of 10-year dementia and restricted average time lost due to dementia were also evaluated.
In the cohort of 1865 subjects, 60.3% (1125) were female, and the average baseline age was 70.5 years. Two hundred and forty subjects developed dementia over a mean follow-up of 8.4 years.
Lower dementia risk was linked with higher adherence to healthier dietary patterns in those with a higher AD and neurobiological risk markers. In rEDII, lower dementia risk was seen in those with elevated p-tau217, NFL, and GFAP levels for each 1-z score increase in dietary compliance. In subjects with lower biomarker levels, links with AMED and AHEI were associated with lower dementia risk. Similar outcomes were noted for AD-related dementia.
Adherence to a lower inflammatory diet was linked with lower risk of dementia in those with AD pathology and other neurobiological risk. This research supports the value of focused dietary dementia prevention interventions, not just for the general population, but also for those already at higher risk.
Below are tips for reducing dementia risk.
Limit highly processed foods — especially processed meats, fried foods, and foods high in refined carbohydrates like chips and pastries.
· Eat plenty of colorful vegetables — especially leafy greens, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, citrus fruit, and berries.
· Choose fatty fish — salmon, sardines, trout, and mackerel provide anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats.
· Use extra-virgin olive oil as your primary cooking or salad oil.
· Enjoy nuts and seeds — walnuts, almonds, chia seeds, and flaxseeds are good choices.
· Choose whole grains — oats, quinoa, brown rice, and whole-grain bread instead of refined grains.
· Include beans and lentils regularly for fiber and plant-based nutrients.
· Consider structured exercise programs. Recent research suggests these programs may have more impact than independent activities. 3
· Stay connected. Being social is linked with lower rates of depression and dementia. 4
Lisa Andrews, MEd, RD, LD
References:
1. FDA Ultra Processed Food Definition: Current Status (2026)
2. Mrhar A, Carballo-Casla A, Grande G, et al. Diet Quality and Dementia Risk in Older Adults With Alzheimer Pathology. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(6):e2620254. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.20254
3. Baker LD, Espeland MA, Whitmer RA, Snyder HM, Leng X, Lovato L, Papp KV, Yu M, Kivipelto M, Alexander AS, Antkowiak S, Cleveland M, Day C, Elbein R, Tomaszewski Farias S, Felton D, Garcia KR, Gitelman DR, Graef S, Howard M, Katula J, Lambert K, Matongo O, McDonald AM, Pavlik V, Raman R, Salloway S, Tangney C, Ventrelle J, Wilmoth S, Willliams BJ, Wing R, Woolard N, Carrillo MC. Structured vs Self-Guided Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions for Global Cognitive Function: The US POINTER Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2025 Aug 26;334(8):681-691. doi: 10.1001/jama.2025.12923. PMID: 40720610; PMCID: PMC12305445.
4. Sommerlad A, Kivimäki M, Larson EB, Röhr S, Shirai K, Singh-Manoux A, Livingston G. Social participation and risk of developing dementia. Nat Aging. 2023 May;3(5):532-545. doi: 10.1038/s43587-023-00387-0. Epub 2023 May 18. PMID: 37202513.