Mar 30, 2026

Home Cooking May Reduce Dementia Risk by Upto 67%. Know How

Home Cooking May Reduce Dementia Risk by Upto 67%. Know How

Are you someone who lives away from home for months or years? Missing that heavenly, “Ma ka hath ka Khana” (Mom cooked food)? Most importantly, are you 60+?

You must try home-cooked food.

There are studies galore linking home cooking with heart diseas, type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Here is a study linking home cooking and dementia risk. According to a report published by Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, home-cooked meals may bring down dementia risks by 30%. Lets break it down.

Dementia And India: Some Facts And Studies

Before discussing how diet affects brain health and the prevention of cognitive decline, lets put some key statistics on Dementia and India.

• As per the latest studies (early 2026), approximately 8.8 million Indians aged 60 are suffering from  Dementia.

• According to future projections, the cases of Dementia may even double (17 million by 2036).

• It is a 96% increase from the previous year.

However, most of the houses have elderly people. Hence, the risk factor is always there.

This is probably the reason search keywords like ‘brain healthy diet Kolkata’ and ‘dementia prevention tips North Dumdum’ are extremely high on the SERPS.

If you, too, have old parents in your house, you must consult a brain health doctor, Birati, North Dumdum, Kolkata, for timely intervention. 

Home Cooking And Dementia Risk: Unfolding the New Study

The study (published in the  Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health) says that preparing home-cooked meals at atleast once a week can cut down the risk of dementia by 30%.

• Researchers observed 10,978 participants, who were around 65+, for a long 6 years.

• 50% of them were women.

• 1/5th of them were 80+.

• 40% of them annually earned less than 2 million yen.

The respondents filled out a questionnaire. The findings of the  study were such:

• Response to home-cooked food revolved somewhere between none and 5 times a week.

• 50% of them cooked around 5 times a week.

• During their period of observation, 1195 people suffered Dementia. This was 11% of the entire response.

Analysing the data it was found that the higher the culinary competency, the lower the risk associated with Dementia.

The concluding study says that home cooking brought down 23% Dementia risks among males and 27% risks among females.

The study has a direct relation to another research (Lancet Commission Report), which says that 40% cases of Dementia could be prevented with diet and lifestyle factors. So the key area of focus was a healthy lifestyle for seniors.

Benefits Of Home Cooking

To be true, there is no replacement for home cooking. The restaurant and take-home culture has greatly affected human health. Leave alone brain health, there are many benefits of cooking food in your home:

Enhanced health and hygiene.

• Social and family bonding.

• Improved health and nutrition.

• Dietary customisation.

• Portion control.

FAQ

Q1. What would be the best Alzheimer’s prevention diet?

A diet comprising leafy greens, berries, nuts, olive oil, and fish is considered nutritious. You could consider it among the best Indian foods to prevent dementia.

Q2. What is the MIND diet?

Mind diet, or Mediterranean diet, boosts brain health. It focuses on leafy green berries, whole grains, fish, etc.

Q3. How does home-cooked food improve your brain health?

Home-cooked food comprising fresh vegetables and nuts supports memory and improves your overall health.

Q4. Is the traditional Bengali diet good for preventing dementia?

Yes, the traditional Bengali home-cooked diet, rich in vegetables, fish and rice, supports health. They are memory-boosting foods.

Q5. Why are processed foods harmful?

The processed foods are high in healthy fats. They are rich in calories, fats and contribute to blood pressure and inflammation.