Dementia: How harmful is game meat?
Anyone who eats a lot of game should be aware of the following study: Scientists claim to have discovered that excessive consumption of processed meat could be linked to mental health problems and dementia. A team of scientists led by Dr. Robert Yolken from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore describe their findings in their research report, published in the journal "Molecular Psychiatry." According to the report,
Those who eat a lot of game meat should be aware of the following study: Scientists claim to have discovered that excessive consumption of processed meat could be linked to mental health problems and dementia.
A team of scientists led by Dr. Robert Yolken from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore describe their findings in their research report, which was published in the journal "Molecular Psychiatry" .
According to this, the consumption of processed meat such as game can promote serious psychological problems such as manic phases lasting for weeks, as well as hyperactivity and sleep disorders.
The study analyzed data from over 1,000 people between the ages of 18 and 65. Some had mental disorders, others did not.
Mania and meat consumption are linked
After the subjects were asked about their meat consumption, it was shown that people who eat a lot of processed meat such as venison have a three and a half times higher risk of manic episodes.
The study also suggests that those respondents who were already receiving treatment for bipolar disorder consumed significantly more processed meat than other study participants.
According to the study, this is primarily due to the nitrates used to preserve processed meat. The preservative is said to affect the brain and gut bacteria of humans.
Venison as a disease cause
It has long been known that high meat consumption can increase the risk of heart disease and cancer. A recent Chinese study also shows that saturated fatty acids, such as those found in game meat, increase the risk of dementia.
In their review, researchers at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou compared international studies with a total of 8,630 participants as well as 633 case studies. The result: A higher intake of animal fats increased the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 39 percent, and the risk of dementia by 105 percent.
The number of people with dementia has been rising worldwide for years. The disease is incurable; currently available therapies can only slow its progression. Other risk factors for dementia, which previous studies have linked to meat consumption, include high blood pressure, smoking, depression, lack of exercise, social isolation, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. More on recreational hunting .
