Eating One Food Increases Dementia Risk x4, Professor Warns

Renowned nutritional scientist Professor Tim Spector has challenged the widely held belief that activities like doing crosswords and Wordle can effectively diminish the risk of dementia. In an interview on ITV’s Lorraine, Professor Spector emphasized the significance of gaining muscle mass and engaging in physical exercise as proven methods of reducing the risk of dementia. He underscored the importance of exercising the brain, likening it to a muscle. However, he cautioned against the repetition of the same mental exercises, suggesting that engaging in various activities such as learning a new language, dance moves, musical instruments, or diverse reading can effectively reduce the risk of dementia.

Professor Spector, a leading figure in genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and co-founder of the health app Zoe, also highlighted the crucial role of diet in dementia prevention. He pointed out that being obese and consuming high amounts of ultra-processed foods significantly increase the risk of dementia, quadrupling the chances of developing the condition. He recommended a focus on gut-friendly foods, a diversity of plant-based foods, and increased consumption of fermented foods to promote gut health, underlining the critical impact of gut health on overall dementia risk.

The research conducted by Professor Spector and his team revealed that modifying specific risk factors could prevent around 4 in 10 cases of dementia. Additionally, it has been established that maintaining a healthy blood pressure level can contribute to reducing the risk of dementia, aligning with the principle that what is beneficial for the heart is also beneficial for the brain.

In essence, the key takeaways for reducing the risk of dementia include gaining muscle mass through exercise, engaging in diverse mental activities, and adopting a diet that prioritizes gut health and avoids excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods.