Latest news with #LinlinDa
Medscape
01-08-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Nutrition Assistance Programs Combat Cognitive Decline
Nutrition assistance programs do more than fighting hunger. They also may help guard against age-related cognitive decline. Researchers found that people who participated in the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) had slower cognitive decline over 10 years than peers who did not participate in the program. 'The chief policy implication of our study is that nutrition assistance programs like SNAP are not just anti-hunger tools — they are also public health tools that may help protect cognitive function and promote healthy aging,' lead author Linlin Da, MPH, PhD candidate, University of Georgia College of Public Health, Athens, Georgia, told Medscape Medical News . The study was presented on July 30 at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2025. Healthy Food, Healthy Brain Using the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study, researchers analyzed a racially and ethnically representative group of people aged 50 years or older. They compared 1131 individuals (mean age, 63 years) who were enrolled in SNAP in 2010 to 1216 individuals (mean age, 66 years) who were eligible for SNAP but did not participate in the program. 'Our study focused on SNAP — a real-world, policy-level intervention — rather than just individual food choices,' Da noted. As part of the study, memory and executive function were assessed every 2 years between 2010 and 2020 via telephone or web-based interviews. Individuals with an initial cognition summary score indicating cognitive impairment or dementia were excluded from the analysis. The researchers found that SNAP participants had a 0.10% slower decline in overall cognitive function ( P < .001 ), or 2-3 additional years of cognitive health over the 10-year period. 'For someone starting at a healthy cognitive score, this slower decline could delay reaching the threshold for mild cognitive impairment by nearly a decade,' Da noted in a conference statement. SNAP participants also had a slower decline in memory ( P < .001 ) and executive function ( P = .004 ) than peers not enrolled in SNAP. 'Our study is one of the first long-term, nationally representative studies to show that participation in a federal nutrition assistance program like SNAP is associated with slower cognitive decline in older adults,' Da told Medscape Medical News . Da said there are several biological and social mechanisms that may explain how SNAP participation slows cognitive decline, including improved nutrition. 'SNAP increases access to nutrient-dense foods that support brain health — such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Better nutrition is linked to reduced inflammation, improved vascular health, and preservation of cognitive function over time,' Da explained. Reduced food insecurity and stress is another possibility. 'Chronic food insecurity is a significant source of psychological stress, which can negatively impact brain function. SNAP helps alleviate financial and emotional strain, leading to lower levels of chronic stress and potentially reducing harmful stress-related effects on memory and executive function,' Da said. 'We hope healthcare providers will see that potentially delaying cognitive impairment is another reason to help their patients-in-need secure access to food assistance,' co-author Suhang Song, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Georgia College of Public Health, added in a conference statement. Equity Gaps While all racial and ethnic groups benefitted from SNAP participation, the protective effects on cognitive decline were smaller among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic older adults compared with non-Hispanic White participants. There were 'racial and ethnic disparities in the cognitive benefits of SNAP, which points to important equity gaps in how nutrition policies may impact different populations,' Da said. 'We guess, even with SNAP, living in food deserts or areas with fewer healthy food options may limit the quality of nutrition people can access. This can especially affect Black and Hispanic communities, where structural barriers to healthy eating persist,' Da said. Commenting on this study for Medscape Medical News , Courtney Kloske, PhD, director of Scientific Engagement for the Alzheimer's Association, said it 'highlights the importance of nutritious foods and the impact that can have on the brain.' Maria Carrillo, PhD, chief science officer and medical affairs lead, Alzheimer's Association, noted that food insecurity can negatively affect cognitive function, and this is one of the first long-term studies to show that food assistance programs can positively impact cognition. 'Simple, everyday actions can make a difference in brain health and may even lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The Alzheimer's Association is committed to helping all people build these habits into their daily lives, including eating right, one of our 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain,' Carrillo said in a statement.
Daily Mail
30-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Americans on food stamps less likely to suffer from deadly brain disorder, study finds
Americans using food stamps may have a lower risk of developing dementia, new research reveals. A 10-year study unveiled Wednesday at the world's largest dementia conference compared 1,100 Americans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutritional Access Program (SNAP) to those who didn't receive the benefits. SNAP provides about 41million low-income Americans with money to buy groceries like fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. It's also rumored to be on the chopping block as part of President Donald Trump 's 'Big Beautiful Bill,' which passed earlier this month. Researchers involved in the new study found people with SNAP benefits had a 0.1 percent slower decline in cognitive function. While the figure seems small, this amounts to getting another two to three years of cognitive health back. And researchers suggested these additional years could stave off mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia, by up to a decade. The new study comes days after the groundbreaking US POINTER study found simple lifestyle changes like exercising and following the MIND diet could improve cognitive function. Linlin Da, lead study author and PhD candidate in health services research at the University of Georgia, Athens, said: 'For someone starting at a healthy cognitive score, this slower decline could delay reaching the threshold for mild cognitive impairment by nearly a decade. 'This suggests SNAP participation, or another similar nutrition support program, could significantly delay the onset of cognitive impairment or dementia, allowing people to preserve their ability to manage medications, finances and daily tasks longer. 'This ultimately supports greater independence and higher quality of life in older adulthood.' Dementia affects about 9million Americans and is on the rise, with experts suspecting it could strike 14million Americans by 2060. While much of this increase is likely due to a growing older population, as the disease most often affects those over 65, surging rates of chronic conditions like heart disease, obesity and diabetes have also been blamed. The new study, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in Toronto, used data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a national survey of Americans over age 50. They compared 1,131 people enrolled in SNAP in 2010 to 1,216 people who were eligible for the program but not enrolled. The average age for each group was 63 and 66, respectively. The team measured participants' memory and executive function, the ability to plan and carry out tasks, every two years between 2010 and 2020 via phone or online interviews. While non-Hispanic white participants showed 0.1 percent slower cognitive decline, other races did not see the same results. Da said: 'At the same time, we discovered that this protective effect is not the same for everyone: non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic older adults did not benefit as much in cognitive functions compared to non-Hispanic white participants.' Black and Hispanic Americans have historically been prone to dementia, largely due to higher rates of conditions like diabetes and obesity, which induce harmful inflammation and damage blood vessels in areas of the brain responsible for memory. Dr Suhang Song, corresponding study author and assistant professor at the University of Georgia College of Public Health, said: 'We hope health care providers will see that potentially delaying cognitive impairment is another reason to help their patients-in-need secure access to food assistance.' The researchers did not specify why SNAP beneficiaries saw improvements, but it could be due to SNAP requiring participants to purchase brain-healthy foods like lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables and dairy rather than alcohol or sugary foods. While the program itself allows for junk food, some states like Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, and Utah are working to prohibit the purchase of these with food stamps. People experiencing food insecurity who are not on SNAP, meanwhile, may be more likely to be obese or have other conditions tied to dementia, as junk foods tend to be cheaper. The study findings are in line with other research published at AAIC, including the US POINTER study, which looked at Americans who implemented diet and exercise changes into their routine over the course of two years. That team found people who followed a strict regimen of exercise and a MIND-style diet had better cognitive scores than those who followed a self-guided plan, though both groups benefitted. Dr Maria C Carrillo, Alzheimer's Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead who was not involved in the new research, said: 'Research has shown that food insecurity can negatively impact cognitive function, and this is one of the first long-term studies to show that food assistance programs can positively impact cognition. 'Simple, everyday actions can make a difference in brain health and may even lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.'
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Federal food assistance program may slow cognitive decline, study suggests
Older adults who participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, had a slower rate of cognitive decline than people who were eligible for the anti-hunger program but didn't receive benefits, according to a study presented Wednesday. Although many adults begin to mentally slow down in midlife, researchers found that people over 50 who participated in SNAP, which helps people with low incomes afford groceries, had a 10% slower rate of decline in their memory and thinking skills compared with their peers. That's equal to gaining two to three additional years of cognitive health over 10 years, said Linlin Da, lead author of the study, who presented her findings Wednesday at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto. By providing a secure source of food, SNAP 'may have some underappreciated benefits for brain health,' said Da, who led the study while she was a doctoral student at the University of Georgia College of Public Health. The National Institutes of Health-funded study comes just weeks after President Donald Trump signed legislation that the Congressional Budget Office estimates will cut funding for SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, by $186 billion through 2034. Food banks across the United States are already struggling to meet growing demand amid funding cuts from the Agriculture Department. Food insecurity 'can lead to poor nutrition and chronic disease, and all of that can negatively impact the brain,' Da said. 'So by improving access to nutrient-rich foods, SNAP may support brain health, reduce the stress and promote better health overall.' The new study, which hasn't yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, leaves many questions unanswered. Researchers didn't measure which foods study participants consumed, so they don't know if people receiving SNAP benefits had healthier diets. But doctors know that high-sodium diets can raise blood pressure, one of the most important risk factors for dementia, said Dr. Mitchell Elkind, chief science officer for brain health and stroke at the American Heart Association. The study also doesn't explain how food security might benefit the brain, said Elkind, who wasn't involved with the research. It's possible that programs such as SNAP relieve the anxiety that people feel when they can't afford their groceries or when they have to choose between paying for food or medication, giving them more mental bandwidth to focus on other issues. Chronic stress has been linked to a higher risk for dementia. The design of the new study, which followed more than 2,300 older people for 10 years, can't definitively prove that participating in SNAP protects brain health. It's possible that people who participated in SNAP were cognitively healthier before the study began, Da said. Enrolling in SNAP can be time-consuming and complicated, making it more difficult for people with cognitive problems to complete their applications. Yet a growing field of research links nutrition, food security and dementia risk. 'Observational studies from around the world have shown us that food insecurity and poor cognitive health go together,' said Kriti Jain, a health administrator at the National Institute on Aging, part of the NIH, who wasn't involved in the study. 'More recent studies have shown us that food insecurity comes before cognitive health gets worse.' Brain health is shaped by far more than genetics, Da said. Cognitive aging 'can also be shaped by policies, by the environment and by access to different resources,' she said. 'That means we can do something to change it and improve it.' Anti-hunger groups contend that cutting SNAP benefits will leave people hungry and less healthy. Research shows that poverty and food insecurity — a condition in which people lack a consistent source of nutritious food —are common risk factors for malnutrition among older adults. 'SNAP is both a lifeline for older adults and a critical public health tool,' said Crystal FitzSimons, president of the Food Research & Action Center, an advocacy group. 'Participating in SNAP can mean extra years of cognitive health, helping older adults remain independent,' instead of moving into nursing homes. The Republican-led House Agriculture Committee has said the funding reduction 'restores SNAP to its original intent—promoting work, not welfare—while saving taxpayer dollars and investing in American agriculture.' Food as medicine Karen Forbes, 61, first participated in SNAP decades ago when she was a single mother of a young child. She reapplied for the program during the pandemic when her pet sitting customers stopped needing her. Forbes, who lives outside Portland, Oregon, said SNAP has been especially important since she developed long Covid in 2022, which has left her with heavy fatigue, prevents her from working and has caused 'brain fog' that resembles age-related cognitive decline. Forbes said she and her father, who is 82, 'are going through a sort of Alzheimer's thing together.' Although Forbes said she used to talk 'a million miles a minute,' she now often struggles to find the right word. If she tries to speak too quickly, 'everything comes out jumbled and stupid.' After an 18-month wait, Forbes said she recently began receiving disability benefits from Social Security. Because of SNAP, Forbes said, she doesn't have to choose between buying groceries and paying her rent or electric bills. Her favorite part of SNAP is being able to afford fresh fruits and vegetables, she said. Oregon's SNAP program provides 'double benefits' for shopping at farmers markets, so people can buy twice as much fresh produce for the same amount of money. Forbes said she tries to follow a healthy diet in the hope of overcoming her illness. 'When you're chronically ill, every little tiny thing you can do to improve your health makes all the difference in the world,' she said. Food insecurity linked to dementia Jain described food insecurity as 'a severe and growing public health issue in America.' In families with member over age 60, the prevalence of food insecurity has almost doubled in the past two decades. Twenty-three percent of such families faced chronic or recurring food insecurity from 2015 to 2019, according to a survey from the NIH published last year in JAMA Health Forum. Another study published last year found that food insecurity doubled the risk of probable cognitive decline. And a paper published in 2024 in the Journal of Nutrition found that adults with food insecurity and lower-quality diets had significantly steeper declines in cognitive scores during the study, conducted from 2012 to 2020. In that study, however, participating in SNAP wasn't related to the rate of mental decline, suggesting that SNAP alone 'may be insufficient to prevent negative cognitive effects of poor diet and limited access to nutritious foods.' Unprecedented cutbacks The Urban Institute, a nonprofit research organization that focuses on social and economic policy, estimates that funding cuts could lead 22.3 million families to lose some or all of their food benefits. The 20% decrease in funding is 'the largest cut to SNAP in history,' according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan think tank. The measure will also shift much of the program's cost from the federal government to the states beginning in 2028, as well as expand work requirements for participants. Seven in 10 of the 42 million people who participate in SNAP are older adults, people with disabilities and families with children. The new study suggests 'we need more research on the role of healthy diet and nutrition in brain health,' Elkind said. 'In particular, it suggests that there should be more research in the area of food as medicine, meaning the provision of healthy food to people to see what the impact is on cognition, dementia risks and brain health.' This article was originally published on Solve the daily Crossword
CNN
30-07-2025
- Health
- CNN
Food assistance benefits are tied to slower cognitive decline in older adults, new study suggests
For older adults who may otherwise be food-insecure, participating in food assistance benefits may be associated with a slower cognitive decline as they age, according to new research. Compared with eligible people who were not participating in the US Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, SNAP participants showed a slower decline in cognitive function during a 10-year period, essentially maintaining up to three additional years of cognitive health, according to the study presented Wednesday at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto. 'We expected that SNAP might be protective for cognitive health based on prior research linking food insecurity to faster cognitive decline. But what did surprise us was the persistence of the effect over a decade — and the fact that the benefit was equivalent to preserving two to three extra years of cognitive health,' Linlin Da, lead author of the study and a Ph.D. candidate in health services research at the University of Georgia, said in an email. 'This study is important because it shows that supporting basic needs like food access can have long-term benefits for brain health, something not widely recognized,' Da said. 'In a time when we're seeking ways to delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease and related dementia, this suggests that public health and social policy can play a role alongside medical approaches.' It's estimated that nearly 37% of SNAP participants are in households with older adults or people with disabilities, and on average, SNAP participants may receive an estimated $6.16 per day per person in benefits. SNAP, known previously as the Food Stamp Program, helped an average of more than 41 million low-income people in the United States in a typical month last year, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Now, President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes the largest cuts to food stamps in the program's 86-year history, jeopardizing assistance for millions of people. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the law will reduce federal spending on SNAP by almost $187 billion over the next decade. Some public health experts worry that while cuts to SNAP would lead to budgetary savings, it also could produce higher rates of food insecurity and poorer health outcomes in the long run, according to the nonprofit KFF, formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation. And some Democratic state leaders are warning about potential consequences. 'During a time when many American families are already struggling, food assistance programs such as SNAP are more essential than ever,' Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said in a news release Tuesday. 'Under the veneer of 'cost savings,' the Trump Administration is slashing benefits and threatening the well-being of hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans, putting their health and welfare at risk. Our state deserves better.' The researchers on the new study, from the University of Georgia, analyzed data on more than 2,000 adults 50 and older across the United States. About half of them were enrolled in SNAP in 2010, and the other half were eligible for SNAP but did not participate in the program. Every two years between 2010 and 2020, the researchers interviewed the study participants to assess their cognition, memory and executive function, including their ability to carry out tasks or to plan. Each person was given a cognitive score based on the assessments. The assessments, which have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, showed that those enrolled in SNAP had a slower rate of cognitive decline in cognition, memory and executive function during the 10-year period. 'The decline in global cognitive function was 0.10 points slower per year for SNAP participants compared to nonparticipants,' Da said. 'While that may sound small, over a 10-year period, this adds up to about one full point of preserved cognition. To put it in clinical terms, this slower decline could delay the onset of mild cognitive impairment by nearly a decade for someone starting at a healthy cognitive baseline.' When the researchers analyzed their data by race and ethnicity, they found that there was a slightly faster decline in cognition and memory among Black and Hispanic adults compared with White adults, but no significant racial differences were observed for executive function. However, SNAP participation was linked with much stronger cognitive benefits and slower decline among the White adults. As a 10-year study, the new research covers 'a good length of time' to determine the benefits of diet and SNAP as associated with cognitive health, Dr. Shae Datta, a neurologist at NYU Langone Health and brand partner for the supplement company Qunol, said in an email. 'Having the means to buy nutritious food is important for preventing cognitive decline,' said Datta, who was not involved in the new study. 'This study suggested that SNAP participation, or any nutritional support program can delay the onset of cognitive impairment or dementia. Translating in a greater ability to manage their activities of daily living and remain independent longer.' While the new study suggests only an association between SNAP participation and cognitive decline, rather than a causal relationship, the researchers emphasized that not having adequate access to food can negatively affect cognitive function. SNAP participation may help improve someone's nutritional intake, thus potentially slowing cognitive decline. 'When people don't have access to healthy nutrition programs, they may have inadequate intake of, for example, brain healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, fish like lake trout, mackerel, herring, albacore tuna, sardines and wild salmon,' said preventive neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson, director of research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Florida, who was not involved in the new study. 'Having a balanced diet can neutralize a lot of the risk elements related to developing cognitive decline. The way that I would think about this is, the Mediterranean-style diet is by far the most evidence-based when it comes to reducing the risk of cognitive decline,' Isaacson said. 'But a Mediterranean-style diet is rich in green, leafy vegetables. Vegetables are expensive. Fatty fish are expensive. So nutrition assistance programs can really fill the gap.' A Mediterranean-style diet includes mostly vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, lentils, whole grains and healthy fats, such as extra virgin olive oil and avocados. The diet may include a moderate amount of natural cheese and yogurt, but it is low in red meat and sugar. Overall, the potential health benefits of participating in a food assistance program for an older adult who otherwise would be food-insecure are based on whether that adult uses the program to access brain healthy foods while taking other steps to maintain cognitive health, said Isaacson, who established one of the first Alzheimer's prevention clinics in the United States. 'You can't eat a magic blueberry and think you're going to prevent Alzheimer's disease,' he said. 'Healthy nutrition, exercising on a regular basis, seeing a doctor regularly to control blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, vascular risk factors – you need to do all of these different things to have the most benefit.' CNN's Nathaniel Meyersohn contributed to this report.
NBC News
30-07-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Federal food assistance program may slow cognitive decline, study suggests
Older adults who participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, had a slower rate of cognitive decline than people who were eligible for the anti-hunger program but didn't receive benefits, according to a study presented Wednesday. Although many adults begin to mentally slow down in midlife, researchers found that people over 50 who participated in SNAP, which helps people with low incomes afford groceries, had a 10% slower rate of decline in their memory and thinking skills compared with their peers. That's equal to gaining two to three additional years of cognitive health over 10 years, said Linlin Da, lead author of the study, who presented her findings Wednesday at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto. By providing a secure source of food, SNAP 'may have some underappreciated benefits for brain health,' said Da, who led the study while she was a doctoral student at the University of Georgia College of Public Health. The National Institutes of Health-funded study comes just weeks after President Donald Trump signed legislation that the Congressional Budget Office estimates will cut funding for SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, by $186 billion through 2034. Food banks across the United States are already struggling to meet growing demand amid funding cuts from the Agriculture Department. Food insecurity 'can lead to poor nutrition and chronic disease, and all of that can negatively impact the brain,' Da said. 'So by improving access to nutrient-rich foods, SNAP may support brain health, reduce the stress and promote better health overall.' The new study, which hasn't yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, leaves many questions unanswered. Researchers didn't measure which foods study participants consumed, so they don't know if people receiving SNAP benefits had healthier diets. But doctors know that high-sodium diets can raise blood pressure, one of the most important risk factors for dementia, said Dr. Mitchell Elkind, chief science officer for brain health and stroke at the American Heart Association. The study also doesn't explain how food security might benefit the brain, said Elkind, who wasn't involved with the research. It's possible that programs such as SNAP relieve the anxiety that people feel when they can't afford their groceries or when they have to choose between paying for food or medication, giving them more mental bandwidth to focus on other issues. Chronic stress has been linked to a higher risk for dementia. The design of the new study, which followed more than 2,300 older people for 10 years, can't definitively prove that participating in SNAP protects brain health. It's possible that people who participated in SNAP were cognitively healthier before the study began, Da said. Enrolling in SNAP can be time-consuming and complicated, making it more difficult for people with cognitive problems to complete their applications. Yet a growing field of research links nutrition, food security and dementia risk. 'Observational studies from around the world have shown us that food insecurity and poor cognitive health go together,' said Kriti Jain, a health administrator at the National Institute on Aging, part of the NIH, who wasn't involved in the study. 'More recent studies have shown us that food insecurity comes before cognitive health gets worse.' Brain health is shaped by far more than genetics, Da said. Cognitive aging 'can also be shaped by policies, by the environment and by access to different resources,' she said. 'That means we can do something to change it and improve it.' Anti-hunger groups contend that cutting SNAP benefits will leave people hungry and less healthy. Research shows that poverty and food insecurity — a condition in which people lack a consistent source of nutritious food — are common risk factors for malnutrition among older adults. 'SNAP is both a lifeline for older adults and a critical public health tool,' said Crystal FitzSimons, president of the Food Research & Action Center, an advocacy group. 'Participating in SNAP can mean extra years of cognitive health, helping older adults remain independent,' instead of moving into nursing homes. The Republican-led House Agriculture Committee has said the funding reduction ' restores SNAP to its original intent —promoting work, not welfare—while saving taxpayer dollars and investing in American agriculture.' Food as medicine Karen Forbes, 61, first participated in SNAP decades ago when she was a single mother of a young child. She reapplied for the program during the pandemic when her pet sitting customers stopped needing her. Forbes, who lives outside Portland, Oregon, said SNAP has been especially important since she developed long Covid in 2022, which has left her with heavy fatigue, prevents her from working and has caused 'brain fog' that resembles age-related cognitive decline. Forbes said she and her father, who is 82, 'are going through a sort of Alzheimer's thing together.' Although Forbes said she used to talk 'a million miles a minute,' she now often struggles to find the right word. If she tries to speak too quickly, 'everything comes out jumbled and stupid.' After an 18-month wait, Forbes said she recently began receiving disability benefits from Social Security. Because of SNAP, Forbes said, she doesn't have to choose between buying groceries and paying her rent or electric bills. Her favorite part of SNAP is being able to afford fresh fruits and vegetables, she said. Oregon's SNAP program provides 'double benefits' for shopping at farmers markets, so people can buy twice as much fresh produce for the same amount of money. Forbes said she tries to follow a healthy diet in the hope of overcoming her illness. 'When you're chronically ill, every little tiny thing you can do to improve your health makes all the difference in the world,' she said. Food insecurity linked to dementia Jain described food insecurity as 'a severe and growing public health issue in America.' In families with member over age 60, the prevalence of food insecurity has almost doubled in the past two decades. Twenty-three percent of such families faced chronic or recurring food insecurity from 2015 to 2019, according to a survey from the NIH published last year in JAMA Health Forum. Another study published last year found that food insecurity doubled the risk of probable cognitive decline. And a paper published in 2024 in the Journal of Nutrition found that adults with food insecurity and lower-quality diets had significantly steeper declines in cognitive scores during the study, conducted from 2012 to 2020. In that study, however, participating in SNAP wasn't related to the rate of mental decline, suggesting that SNAP alone 'may be insufficient to prevent negative cognitive effects of poor diet and limited access to nutritious foods.' Unprecedented cutbacks The Urban Institute, a nonprofit research organization that focuses on social and economic policy, estimates that funding cuts could lead 22.3 million families to lose some or all of their food benefits. The 20% decrease in funding is 'the largest cut to SNAP in history,' according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan think tank. The measure will also shift much of the program's cost from the federal government to the states beginning in 2028, as well as expand work requirements for participants. The new study suggests 'we need more research on the role of healthy diet and nutrition in brain health,' Elkind said. 'In particular, it suggests that there should be more research in the area of food as medicine, meaning the provision of healthy food to people to see what the impact is on cognition, dementia risks and brain health.'
