Dementia affects approximately 10 percent of Americans aged 65 and older. A study published in the journal  suggests that processed red meats like hot dogs, sausage, salami, bologna and bacon may increase the risk of developing dementia. The eating habits of more than 133,000 participants without a dementia diagnosis at the start of the study were tracked for more than 40 years through surveys every two or four years.

According to the researchers, those consuming the greatest amount of processed red meat had a 13 percent higher chance of developing dementia compared to subjects in the low red meat group. (A serving was deemed to be three ounces, and high consumption was defined as one quarter of a serving or more daily, or roughly two servings per week.) The study also reported that those consuming the most processed red meat exhibited lower cognitive function and accelerated brain aging compared to people that consumed the least amount of processed red meat. Further research is needed to understand how diet may influence the onset of dementia.