Consuming at least a quarter serving of processed meat daily, like two bacon slices or one hot dog, significantly raises dementia risk. A recent study published in the medical journal Neurology revealed a link between the consumption of processed red meat and an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Participants consuming at least a quarter serving of processed meat daily -- equivalent to two slices of bacon or one hot dog -- faced a higher risk of dementia compared to those with minimal intake. The researchers from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University conducted the study over a span of up to 43 years. Each additional daily serving of processed red meat was linked to a 1.61-year acceleration in brain aging and a 1.61-year decline in overall brain function. The study also found that substituting processed red meat with fish was linked to a 28% lower risk of dementia. Replacing processed red meat with plant-based protein sources such as nuts, legumes, or fish could lead to a 20% lower risk of dementia.