MEAT raises the risk of dementia, according to a study that warned Brits should cut out a breakfast favourite to reduce their chances.
Harvard University researchers say ditching bacon sandwiches could cut your risk of the disease by up to a fifth.
It will be unwelcome news to millions, with breakfast butties voted Britain’s favourite.
Scientists think chemicals released during the digestion of red meats can aid the build-up of toxic proteins in the brain.
Fat and salt may also damage the health of brain cells, they added.
The danger is more pronounced for processed meat like bacon and sausages.
Data from 134,000 middle-aged Americans found that people who eat the equivalent of two rashers of bacon per day, on average, had a higher risk of dementia.
Their chances were 13 per cent higher than people whose consumption was “minimal” but not vegetarian.
Meat ‘may age the brain’
Meat-eaters were also about 16 per cent more likely to report “subjective cognitive decline”, where they personally felt their memory was getting worse.
Study author Dr Daniel Wang said meat appeared to age the brain faster.
He said: “Red meat is high in saturated fat and has been shown in previous studies to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, which are both linked to reduced brain health.
“Our study found processed red meat may increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
“But the good news is that it also found that replacing it with healthier alternatives, like nuts, fish and poultry, may reduce a person’s risk.
“Dietary guidelines tend to focus on conditions like heart disease and diabetes, while brain health is less frequently discussed.
“We hope our results encourage greater consideration of the connection between diet and the brain.”
Dementia is the leading cause of death in Britain and about a million people have it, with cases rising as the population grows older.
People can lower their risk of the illness with a healthy diet, regular exercise and not smoking or drinking too much alcohol.
The NHS says red meat can be part of a balanced diet and contains important vitamins.
But it adds: “It is recommended that you do not eat too much red meat, processed meat or meat that is high in saturated fats as this can lead to health problems.”
The research was published in the journal Neurology.
Is it ageing or dementia?
Dementia – the most common form of which is Alzheimer’s – comes on slowly over time.
As the disease progresses, symptoms can become more severe.
But at the beginning, the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal memory issues related to ageing.
The US National Institute on Aging gives some examples of what is considered normal forgetfulness in old age, and dementia disease.
You can refer to these above.
For example, it is normal for an ageing person to forget which word to use from time-to-time, but difficulting having conversation would be more indicative of dementia.
Katie Puckering, Head of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Information Services team, previously told The Sun: “We quite commonly as humans put our car keys somewhere out of the ordinary and it takes longer for us to find them.
“As you get older, it takes longer for you to recall, or you really have to think; What was I doing? Where was I? What distracted me? Was it that I had to let the dog out? And then you find the keys by the back door.
“That process of retrieving the information is just a bit slower in people as they age.
“In dementia, someone may not be able to recall that information and what they did when they came into the house.
“What may also happen is they might put it somewhere it really doesn’t belong. For example, rather than putting the milk back in the fridge, they put the kettle in the fridge.”
