High intake of ultra-processed food is associated with dementia in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Henney AE, Gillespie CS, Alam U, Hydes TJ, Mackay CE, Cuthbertson DJ
Journal of neurology · 48 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Clinical events such as disease or death
- Intake measured by
- Not stated
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2023-10-13 · J Neurol · vol. 271 · issue 1 · pp. 198–210
- Publisher
- Springer Science+Business Media
- Cited
- 61 citations · more than 96% of similar papers · 3.9× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 52 works
- Access
- Open access (hybrid journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease · Sodium Intake and Health
- Keywords
- Dementia, Medicine, Observational study, Meta-analysis, Confounding, Confidence interval, Gerontology, Environmental health, Disease, Internal medicine
- MeSH
- humans, dementia, diet, public health, adult, observational studies as topic, food, processed
6 authors
From GB
- Alex E. Henney · correspondingUniversity of Liverpool; Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Aintree University Hospital; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Conor Scott GillespieUniversity of Cambridge
- Uazman AlamUniversity of Liverpool; Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Theresa HydesUniversity of Liverpool; Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Clare E. MackayUniversity of Oxford
- Daniel James CuthbertsonUniversity of Liverpool; Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Abstract
Background and aims
Poor cardiometabolic health is associated with dementia. Considering previous meta-analyses have confirmed associations between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and cardiometabolic disease, we were interested in the contribution of UPF consumption to the risk of developing dementia.
Methods
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all records registered on Ovid Medline and Web of Science from inception until December 2022 [PROSPERO (CRD42023388363)]. Studies that assessed UPF consumption in adults, determined according to NOVA, and that reported dementia (Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and mild cognitive impairment) determined by clearly stated diagnostic criteria (including formal assessment of dementia or use of diagnostic codes) were included. The association between UPF consumption and dementia was assessed using random-effects meta-analysis, controlling for confounding variables. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and evidence credibility evaluated using the NutriGrade system.
Results
Seven thousand ten records were screened, and 122 records underwent full text review. From these, 10 observational (8 longitudinal) studies, analysing 867,316 individuals, were included. Included studies adjusted for age, socioeconomic status and co-morbidity, alongside other confounders. High (vs. low) intake of UPF was associated with increased risk of dementia (pooled relative risk 1.44 (95% confidence interval 1.09-1.90) (p = 0.02)) (I2 = 97.0%), although moderate (vs. low) intake of UPF was not (1.12 (0.96-1.31) (0.13)) (85.0%). Funnel plots demonstrate low risk of publication bias.
Conclusion
High UPF consumption is associated with dementia. Public health measures to reduce overconsumption of UPFs are imperative to reduce the burden of dementia.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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