Eating Bacon & Fried Chicken May Be Linked To Dementia

What are two things that are guaranteed to turn any bad mood around?

Bacon…

And fried chicken. 

Even though we all like to claim to be trying to eat healthier, we all fail to some degree and fall back in love with bacon and fried chicken… which makes what I’m about to tell you so much worse:

It turns out that there may be a link between dementia and eating things like bacon and fried chicken…

We already knew that going heavy on the fried foods was bad for our waistlines (and can lead to developing diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers), but new studies have suggested that it may also be linked to developing dementia.

These types of foods contain advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and they’re toxic substances which increase to high levels when cooked at high temperatures. While it is a naturally occurring compound, processed foods contain much higher levels of them. 

Scientists have been studying the effect of the compound on the human body for more than a decade, finding that it can create dangerous chronic inflammation in our vital organs and is even believed to be a significant factor in Alzheimer’s disease. 

Different studies have unveiled that diets high in AGEs diminish cognitive abilities by causing chronic inflammation, which can lead to Alzheimer’s.

Tom Dening, a professor of dementia research at the University of Nottingham, explained to Good Health that this should make us severely rethink our diets and switch out a heavy processed food diet for more fresh produce. 

New studies have also found that they can have a massive impact on our children’s health, with new research at the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition conference in Glasgow revealing that the high levels of AGEs in the foods they eat has led to a generation of more children with food allergies. 

The study’s lead author, Roberto Berni Canani, explained, “As of yet, no existing theory adequately explains the dramatic increase that has been observed in children’s food allergies. 

“Dietary AGEs in highly processed foods may be the missing link. Our study certainly supports this hypothesis.”

Is all of this going to stop me eating bacon? 

My answer…

BUT - It might be a good idea to make your love for bacon and fried foods a cheat day meal, and amp up your fruit and veggie intake - you don’t want to lose the power of your noggin!

All jokes aside, if you are worried about your health, please see your GP as soon as possible and seek medical advice. 

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