Why? Possible reasons include weight gain, inflammation, preservatives that stress metabolism, and the fact that processed meat often replaces healthier foods like beans, nuts, and whole grains.
Emerging Evidence: Dementia Risk
Recent research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (2024) tracked diet for up to 43 years. The finding:
“Eating about two servings per week of processed red meat raises the risk of dementia by 14% compared to those who eat less than approximately three servings a month.”
This is an association, not proven causation. But it fits with what we know: vascular health and metabolic health directly affect brain health. Reducing processed meat is a low-risk move for protecting your long-term cognition.
What “Less Processed Meat” Looks Like in Real Life
You don’t need to become a vegetarian overnight. The goal is frequency control.
