Association of combined ultra-processed food intake (ultra-processed dietary pattern) with cognitive function impairment: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Zhang S, Zhuang X, Jiang Y, Wang H, He X, Zhang Q, Ji X, Lu Y, Li F
Journal of neurology · 0 citations
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
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
- Funding not disclosed
Publication
- Published
- 2026-06-01 · J Neurol · vol. 273 · issue 6
- Publisher
- Springer Science+Business Media
- Cited
- 1 citation · more than 90% of similar papers · 2.8× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 45 works
- Access
- Paywalled
- Research areas
- Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease · Health, Technology, Consumer Behavior
- Keywords
- Prospective cohort study, Context (archaeology), Cognition, Limiting, Association (psychology), Cohort study, Hazard ratio, Cohort, Food intake, Meta-analysis
- MeSH
- humans, diet, cohort studies, prospective studies, fast foods, cognitive dysfunction, food, processed
9 authors
From CN
- Shipeng ZhangChengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Xiulian ZhuangChengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Yanjie JiangNanjing University of Chinese Medicine
- Hanyu WangChengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Xingyi HeGuangzhou University of Chinese Medicine
- Qinxiu ZhangChengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Abstract
Background
Previous studies on ultra-processed foods (UPF) and cognitive impairment often isolated UPF from overall dietary patterns, limiting real-world interpretation.
Methods
We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to April 2026 for prospective cohort studies assessing total UPF intake (defined by NOVA) and risk of cognitive impairment (including cognitive dysfunction, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease). A random-effects model was used to pool adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) comparing highest versus lowest UPF consumption.
Results
Eight cohort studies (total > 250,000 participants) were included. High combined UPF intake was associated with a 14% higher risk of cognitive impairment (pooled HR = 1.14, 95%CI 1.04-1.25, I2 = 64.6%). The association was more pronounced in participants aged 60 years. Large studies (> 10,000) and longer follow-up (> 15 years) showed stable estimates with lower heterogeneity.
Conclusion
Higher consumption of UPF within a ultra-processed dietary context is positively associated with cognitive impairment risk, particularly among middle-aged adults. These findings support dietary guidelines that recommend limiting UPF intake.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
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