A landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found compelling evidence that diets high in ultra-processed foods accelerate cognitive decline by up to 28 percent compared to those who eat primarily whole foods.

The research, which tracked 47,000 adults over a 10-year period, represents one of the largest longitudinal studies ever conducted on diet and brain health.

Study Findings

Participants who consumed more than 20 percent of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods showed measurable differences in memory, executive function, and processing speed compared to the control group.