Why it may be time to forgo your morning bowl of cereal for the sake of your cognitive health

While breakfast may be considered the most important meal of the day, recent research suggests that the choices we make for our morning feast might hold unexpected implications for our cognitive well-being.

Recent studies indicate that indulging in your favourite cereal each morning may come with unforeseen consequences for your cognitive health.

Scientists have connected higher levels of thiamine – a vitamin commonly found in breakfast cereals – with a potential decline in cognitive function.

As part of the study, published in the General Psychiatry journal, researchers from Anhui Medical University in Hefei, China, explored data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, involving around 3,000 adults with an average age of 63. Participants were asked to share details about their diets and underwent cognitive function tests, including tasks like recalling words and challenges involving number patterns.

Upon a follow-up about five years later, the researchers discovered a link between thiamine consumption and a drop in cognitive test scores. While both too little and too much thiamine can be harmful, the researchers identified an ideal thiamine amount, emphasising the importance of balance.

“We speculate that high levels of dietary thiamine intake may lead to cognitive decline by inducing elevated levels of acetylcholine in the brain,” the research team said.

The study suggests that an excess of dietary thiamine might lead to cognitive decline by triggering elevated levels of acetylcholine in the brain. On average, participants were consuming 0.93 mg per day, with the researchers identifying 0.68 mg per day as the sweet spot. The range between 0.6 mg and 1.00 mg per day showed minimal risks.

For every 1.0 mg per day exceeding the safe limit of 0.68 mg, cognitive scores dropped by 4.24 points.

Despite these intriguing findings, the researchers emphasised the need for more research to validate and expand on their results.

According to Dementia Australia, dementia currently ranks as the second most common cause of death among Australians, and recent data suggests that it is poised to become the leading cause.

Particularly concerning is the fact that dementia holds the top spot as the leading cause of death for women.

As of 2024, the estimated number of Australians grappling with various forms of dementia exceeds 421,000. Unless there is a significant medical breakthrough, projections indicate a staggering rise to over 812,500 individuals living with dementia by the year 2054.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.