The link between sugar and dementia

A spoonful of sugar might increase the risk of an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.

Abnormally high blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia, is a characteristic of diabetes and obesity and is now thought to be a link to Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers have discovered a “tipping point” molecular link between the blood sugar glucose and Alzheimer’s disease. Excess glucose has been found to damage a vital enzyme involved with inflammation response to the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

“Excess sugar is well known to be bad for us when it comes to diabetes and obesity, but this potential link with Alzheimer’s disease is yet another reason that we should be controlling our sugar intake,” says author Omar Kassaar, PhD, professor at the University of Bath in England.

The findings have been published in the journal Scientific Reports. 

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.