Diet High in Inflammatory Foods Associated With Increased Risk of Dementia

The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is a dietary score that measures the potential impact of a diet on a person’s level of inflammation. The five most inflammatory foods have been identified as added sugars, trans fats, red and processed meats, omega-6’s, and refined carbs. According to a new study, a high DII score may increase the risk of developing dementia.

Participants in the study included 1,059 adults with an average age of 71. Food frequency questionnaires were used to evaluate dietary intake. Each participant was then assigned a DII score. Participants were followed for an average of 3 years and all incidences of dementia were recorded.

Participants with the highest DII scores were found to be 3 times more likely to develop dementia compared to those with the lowest scores.

The study was conducted by researchers from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School. It was published online ahead of print on November 10, 2021 in the journal Neurology.