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.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D102958%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]“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.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Sun Health Explainer: Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6345357968112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]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.