The scholarly journal, Neurology, in January 2025’s issue, published an impressive study on dementia risk, cognitive decline and consumption of red meats, especially processed red meats like bologna, bacon, hot dogs, and salami.

Subjects were enrolled in the famous Nurses’ Health Study, and the Health Professionals Follow-UP Study. The period investigated spanned from 1980 to 2023, including about 178,000 participants…more than half female.

“Higher processed red meat intake was associated with accelerated aging in global cognition…and in verbal memory…. Unprocessed red meat intake was associated with a 16% higher risk of Subjective Cognitive Decline [SCD]. Replacing 1 serving per day of nuts and legumes for processed red meat was associated with a 19% lower risk of dementia…, fewer years of cognitive aging, and a lower risk of SCD.”

With Harvard scientist, Walter Willett, PhD among the list of authors having contributed to this important article, we can be assured of the credibility of the findings. By making simple substitutions many of us may be able to preserve our quality of life as we age. By selecting a daily serving of nuts, and/or legumes like beans, peas, lentils and peanuts, instead of any type of red meat, we can make an important change in our risk of decline. We can substitute vegan chili, fragrant black bean soup ladled over rice or corn kernels, a serving of pistachios tossed on our salad, cannellini beans folded into our pasta, and a dessert of natural peanut butter spread on a square of 70% cocoa solids chocolate [or banana slices]. There is a real chance we can eat our way deliciously toward the preservation of our good health!

Dateline: Town of Colonie, Albany County, New York’s Capital Region