We’re all tempted to eat to sugary foods, especially around the holiday season. The average American actually consumes 152 pounds of sugar in one year’s time– an immense amount!
We all know that sugar can have negative effects on our health. But it’s becoming clear that there are links between sugar consumption and disease that we were previously unaware of. The link between sugar and dementia is one of these discoveries.
Scientists have been more comfortable in recent years linking sugar consumption and the disease. They’ve now gone as far as referring to Alzheimer’s as stage 3 diabetes.
Read on to learn more about the connection between sugar intake and dementia.
What Dementia Research Tells Us
Scientists are working hard to understand dementia and it causes. Thanks to these many studies, the relationship between high blood sugar and dementia is becoming more and more apparent. Sugar can help lead to dementia development in a few different ways.
For one, diabetes weakens the blood vessels of the body. Weakened blood vessels greatly increase one’s chance for a stroke. And a stroke can quickly lead to the development of various forms of dementia.
When someone experiences a stroke, a lack of oxygen is sent to the brain. This can result in many brain cells dying, resulting in dementia.
The obesity caused by sugar consumption can also contribute to dementia development. In addition to high blood pressure, obesity can also lead to an overabundance of inflammatory proteins in the body.
Too many amyloid proteins in the brain can cause serious problems and cause mass cell death.
Protecting The Brain
Though the practice of lowering one’s blood pressure usually is associated with physical health, it’s also an essential step in protecting your brain.
Creating a diet that can control your blood sugar level is an imperative step for anyone who already has blood pressure issues. Even for those that don’t, cutting sugar out of one’s diet is a great proactive step in protecting your mental health.
Remember that sugary foods don’t only include things like cookies and cake. Carb-heavy diets that focus on bread and pasta can still turn to sugar in the body. Studies have found that individuals who eat mostly carbohydrates are much more likely to develop cognitive issues later in life.
Incorporating whole foods such as avocados, leafy greens, salmon, turmeric, nuts, and nutrient-heavy items can help give your body what it needs to run healthy and clean. Opting for fresh foods from local markets can also help to keep your body running healthy.
Regular exercise and proper relaxation techniques can also help both the mental and physical health of your body. A mix of all these practices is the best defense against the onset of diseases like diabetes and dementia.
The Link Between Sugar and Dementia
Our understanding of the connection between sugar and dementia is still developing. New research and new information are being provided each year.
But from the data available, it seems indisputable that high sugar consumption can lead to cognitive disorders like dementia later in life. Practicing healthy living and eating right can be the best way to stave off such diseases.
Check out our blog for more senior health advice, tips, and tricks.