The research is part of a growing understanding about how many factors influence brain health as we age – and what we can do about it.

A recent study published in the journal Neurologyfound that eating processed red meat was linked to a higher chance of developing dementia or experiencing cognitive decline. The study joins previous research underscoring the risks of eating processed meats, which are also linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

If you’re in your 30s, 40s or 50s, dementia might feel like a distant concern, something you associate with advanced age. However, emerging research suggests that a common chronic condition, type 2 diabetes, may significantly increase your risk of developing dementia.