Food assistance may help protect the brains of older adults. New research shows that older adults who receive food assistance benefits, such as those from the U.S. Supplemental Nutritional Program AKS SNAP, may experience slower cognitive decline over time. The study followed people over ten years and found that those using SNAP saw a smaller drop in brain function compared to those who qualified but didn’t use the program.

That may not sound like much at first, but this small annual difference adds up. SNAP users aged 50 and up had a 0.10-point slower yearly decline in cognitive scores. Over a decade, that means two to three extra years of clear thinking.

For some, it could delay memory issues or early signs of dementia by nearly ten years.

Freepik / SNAP makes it easier for older adults to buy healthy food. Instead of skipping meals or buying cheap processed options, they can afford leafy greens, fish, berries, and whole grains.

These foods are linked to brain-boosting diets like the MIND and Mediterranean diets. That kind of steady nutrition can help memory and decision-making stay sharper for longer.

Food insecurity creates stress, and stress wears the brain down. Worrying about your next meal burns mental energy. It can make it harder to focus, manage health, or stay active. SNAP relieves some of that strain, if not all. It clears space for healthier habits that help the brain function better.

Why It Does Not Benefit Everyone Equally

Not everyone sees the same benefits. The study found that the brain boost from SNAP was stronger in White participants than in Black or Hispanic older adults. That doesn’t mean the program doesn’t work, but it shows that food assistance alone is not enough to close the bigger gap in long-term health outcomes.

Systemic issues like lifelong exposure to discrimination, less access to healthcare, and neighborhood food deserts continue to chip away at brain health. So while SNAP is a key piece, it is not the whole puzzle. More targeted support may be needed for communities of color to enjoy the same brain-health benefits fully.

Most Eligible Adults Don’t Use It

According to the study, only about 37 percent of older adults who qualify for SNAP actually use it. That is millions of people missing out on a program that could literally keep their brains healthier for years. Why? The reasons vary. Some don’t know they qualify. Others find the paperwork confusing. And many just feel embarrassed.

Stigma around food assistance is real, but it is also outdated. If food insecurity doubles the risk of dementia, then using SNAP is a smart move for your brain. Making enrollment easier and cutting the red tape could unlock huge health benefits nationwide.

Frankie  / Unsplash / Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" suggests cutting $186 to $187 billion from the program over the next ten years. Experts say it could make food insecurity even worse for older Americans.

Cutting back now could cost us later. When older adults lose access to healthy food, their cognitive health suffers. That means more people needing care earlier, more hospital visits, and more strain on families and the healthcare system. Keeping SNAP strong could actually save money in the long run by preventing mental decline.

The idea is simple: Treat food assistance as more than just a safety net. Treat it as medicine. If we already know what foods support brain health, then programs like SNAP could be designed to help people buy those foods more easily. Some cities are already testing this with “produce prescriptions” or discounts for specific brain-friendly groceries.