We all forget things now and then—people’s names, where you put your car keys, that dentist appointment that was scheduled before you got your new calendar. As we age, forgetfulness may worsen and begin to disrupt thinking abilities.

New research suggests that the risk for developing dementia is significantly higher than previously estimated, and the burden on the United States population will grow substantially over the next few decades.

In a study published in the journal Neurology, Dr. Daniel Wang, an assistant professor of medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and his team report that people who eat more processed red meat had a 14% higher risk of developing dementia over more than four decades that those who consumed minimal amounts.

We asked nutrition experts how consumers can make informed and healthy choices about eating red meat.

More American adults may develop dementia than previously thought, according to a new study published this month. The number of Americans who will develop dementia—a progressive decline in memory, thinking skills,