Do you like hot dogs, sausages, bacon, salami and all the meaty things in your sandwich? Or are you that healthy eater who would make a nice salad, but add a few pieces of salami. Well, then, this may not be the best thing to do. As per a new study published in the journal Neurology, found that these cured meats may be linked to developing dementia and cognitive decline as you age.

Since the study came out, health authorities have urged people to reduce their intake of processed red meat because of its links with cardiovascular disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes. As per the researchers it is because of the high levels of sodium and saturated fats, and chemical additives like nitrated and nitrites found in processed red meat that causes cognitive issues.

What did the study find?

The study found that if one person replaces just one daily serving of processed red meat with plant proteins like nuts and legumes, it could lower the risk of dementia by 19%. This means, the person would spend 1.37 fever years of cognitive aging. There are other non-vegetarian alternatives too, like replacing the processed red meat with chicken and fish, which could lower the risk of dementia and reduced cognitive aging.

Senior author of the study Daniel Wang, and an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health noted that by replacing processed red meats with other sources of protein, you decrease your intake of harmful ingredients. This in a way also increases the intake of beneficial nutrients.

Also Read: Should You Avoid Ultra-Processed Foods?

How was the study conducted?

The researchers studied the data on more than 133,000 men and women in the United States. These participants were tracked for more than 40 years. The participants were part of two different groups of nurses, doctors, dentists, and other health professionals who on a regular basis answered questions about their diets, weight, physical activity and other lifestyle habits.

The tests evaluated the memory of the participants and tested their cognitive functions at various points throughout the study. They were also asked to fill questionnaires that explored any self-reported issues with memories and mental abilities, this measure is also known as "subjective cognitive decline", which is used to detect early stages of worsening cognitive function.

The researchers also found that those who ate a quarter of serving of processed red meat or more per day, had 13% higher risk of developing dementia, compared with people who ate little of no processed red meat. The same also had 14% higher risk of subjective cognitive decline.

Unprocessed red meats were also looked at and it was found that they were not associated with higher risk of developing dementia or worse cognitive function.

Are there any limitations?

As per experts, while they appreciate the new findings and have said that it is very important to focus on dietary habits, many have also pointed out on the limitations. In fact, the authors themselves have cautioned that their study was observation, which means it does not prove a causation. The study also did not account for other lifestyle habits, other than dietary practices.

Mounjaro has reshaped weight-loss journeys by powerfully reducing appetite, but doctors are now flagging an important concern. Dr Hasia, who recently addressed this on her Instagram, explained that when food intake drops sharply on Mounjaro, protein intake often falls with it. The result is weight loss that may include muscle, not just fat.

How Mounjaro’s Appetite Suppression Affects Muscle

Mounjaro works by influencing hormones that control hunger and blood sugar, helping people feel full faster and eat less. Dr Hasia notes that while this is effective for fat loss, it can quietly lead to muscle breakdown if protein is not prioritised. When protein is low, the body turns to muscle tissue for essential amino acids, weakening the body over time.

The Protein Rule Dr Hasia Recommends on Mounjaro

In her Instagram post, Dr Hasia shared a simple guideline for those using Mounjaro. Aim for 1.0 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day. For example, a person weighing 70 kilograms should target roughly 70 to 100 grams of protein daily. This amount supports muscle preservation even when overall calories are reduced.

Why Protein on Mounjaro Protects Metabolism

How Protein on Mounjaro Supports Skin and Strength

Rapid weight loss can sometimes lead to sagging skin and weakness. According to Dr Hasia, protein supports collagen production, which helps maintain skin firmness. It also preserves strength, making day-to-day activities easier and reducing the sense of physical depletion some people report while on Mounjaro.

Easy Protein Meals to Tolerate on Mounjaro

Smart Protein Snacks While Using Mounjaro

On days when full meals feel difficult, Dr Hasia recommends small protein-rich snacks. Boiled eggs, edamame, tuna cups, cottage cheese, or a simple protein bar can help meet daily needs without overwhelming the stomach. These options make it easier to stay consistent.

How to Space Protein Intake on Mounjaro

Dr Hasia also highlights the importance of spreading protein throughout the day. Instead of eating it all at once, aiming for 20 to 30 grams per meal allows better absorption and ongoing muscle support. On Mounjaro, consistency matters more than portion size.

Protein, as Dr Hasia reminds her followers, is not an extra on Mounjaro. It is a foundation. Protecting muscle now helps protect metabolism

Children following vegan and vegetarian diets may be missing key nutrients, according to a group of international researchers who shared their findings on Friday.

Plant-based eating has long been linked with lower risks of heart disease and stronger immunity. Yet a new peer-reviewed study, the largest of its kind, analysed 48,000 children and adolescents and found that vegetarian kids were consuming fewer calories, less protein and fat, and lower amounts of important nutrients like zinc and vitamin B12, which supports the nervous system. Vegan children showed similar patterns, with a particularly noticeable lack of calcium, which is vital for bone health.

Vegan Children Are Shorter And Skinnier Than Meat-Eaters

“Vitamin B12 rarely reaches adequate levels without supplementation or fortified foods, and calcium, iodine, and zinc are often at the lower end of recommended intake, making them critical nutrients for kids on plant-based diets,” said Dr. Jeannette Beasley, associate professor at New York University and one of the study’s authors.

The research reviewed 59 studies across 18 countries, comparing nutritional outcomes among 7,280 vegetarians, 1,289 vegans, and 40,059 children who ate both plants and meat (omnivores).

A Boost To Heart Health

While the study highlighted potential nutrient gaps in plant-based diets, it also showed benefits. Vegetarian children consumed more fibre, iron, folate, and vitamin C than omnivores, and both vegan and vegetarian children showed healthier hearts.

They had lower levels of LDL cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol that can clog arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes later in life.

“The more animal products replace whole plant foods in the diet, the worse cardiovascular health tends to be,” said Dr. Dana Hunnes, senior dietitian at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, who was not involved in the study, as per The Independent.

Vegan and vegetarian children were also shorter and had a lower body mass index than meat-eaters, which may reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes—conditions that can further impact heart health.

Small Snacks, Big Difference

Although plant-based diets may leave gaps in nutrients like B12 or zinc, careful planning can help children meet their needs.

While animal products are naturally higher in zinc, lentils, pumpkin seeds, and cashews are excellent plant-based sources, with cashews providing nearly eight grams of zinc per cup. These can be eaten as snacks, added to soups, or blended into smoothies.

For vitamin B12, plant-based children can include seaweed or shiitake mushrooms in their diet. A 100-gram serving of shiitake mushrooms contains about 5.6 micrograms of B12.

According to Stanford Medicine, children should get between three and 11 milligrams of zinc depending on age, and between 0.9 and 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12.

“Our findings suggest a balanced approach is key, with families ensuring kids get enough of vitamin B12, calcium, iodine, iron, and zinc to grow and thrive,” said Dr. Wolfgang Marx, co-author and senior research fellow at Deakin University in Australia.

A fit and otherwise healthy man in his fifties has been left without sensation on the entire left side of his body after suffering a stroke linked to his daily energy drink habit. Doctors were puzzled at first because his medical history was clear, yet his blood pressure was extremely high. It was only when he admitted to drinking about eight cans a day that they traced the cause of the clot in his brain.

The case has prompted specialists writing in the BMJ Case Reports journal to push for tighter oversight of energy drinks, which are consumed by more than 1.7 million people in the UK. Concerns about their safety have grown in recent years, especially since some contain more caffeine than several shots of espresso.

Energy Drink Warning After Man Suffers Stroke Due To Excessive Consumption

Reaching for an energy drink may feel like a quick solution when fatigue sets in, but with rising questions about their health impact, experts are asking people to be careful. A December 2025 case report in BMJ Case Reports described how heavy use of energy drinks may raise the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The man in his fifties arrived at the hospital with extremely high blood pressure. He had weakness on the left side of his body, numbness and trouble with balance, walking, swallowing and speech. Tests confirmed a stroke. His blood pressure dropped with treatment, but once he returned home, it rose again despite being on medication.

Further questioning showed he had been drinking roughly eight energy drinks every day. Each one contained around 160 milligrams of caffeine, far above the recommended daily amount. When he stopped drinking them, his blood pressure settled and he no longer needed medication.

How Are Energy Drinks Bad For Your Heart?

Many energy drinks have high levels of caffeine and sugar, both of which can raise health concerns.

“Too much caffeine can disrupt sleep, worsen insomnia and add to mental health strain,” Dr. Frank Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard Medicine School of Public Health, told TODAY.com.

The FDA advises that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is safe for most adults. A single energy drink can reach or exceed that range, Hu said. A small energy shot can contain around 230 milligrams of caffeine, an 8.4-ounce drink can have about 80 milligrams and a 20-ounce can may reach 190 milligrams. People react to caffeine differently, the FDA notes.

Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Mayo Clinic, said that caffeine on its own may be safe for many, but when it is combined with other stimulants commonly found in energy drinks, the total effect may be too strong for the heart and blood vessels.

“The idea is that caffeine mixed with other ingredients creates a stronger stimulant response that affects heart rate, heart rhythm or blood pressure,” Zeratsky told TODAY.com. “That is what can send someone to the emergency department with a cardiac issue.”

Along with caffeine, Hu and Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Human Nutrition, pointed out another problem in many energy drinks: large amounts of sugar.

“Excess sugar contributes to weight gain, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Because these drinks offer calories without nutrients, it is very easy to take in more than you realise,” Hu said.

Zumpano noted that this sugar load is especially risky for people with diabetes, obesity, heart disease or high triglycerides, which increase the chance of heart attack and stroke. “These drinks can also play a part in developing those conditions,” she said.

Look At Ingredient Labels Before Consuming Energy Drink

If you need an energy boost, the experts encouraged choosing options that are healthier than energy drinks. But if you still decide to buy one, they suggested checking the label closely. Try to avoid caffeine and sugar levels that exceed daily recommendations and stay cautious of long ingredient lists.

Energy drinks often contain caffeine, sugar, added vitamins and amino acids. Common ingredients include ginseng, guarana, L-carnitine and taurine. Zumpano explained that while these may be considered safe on their own, their combined effect is not well understood.

“Some of these ingredients are familiar, and for others we do not have enough strong research, so they are not recommended if you plan to drink them often,” she said. She advised avoiding drinks with ingredients you do not recognise and choosing those with simpler formulations.