High Sugar Intake Can Increase Dementia Risk - German Neurology Society Warns

Summary: The German Neurology Society warns that excessive sugar intake may significantly
increase the risk of dementia. The rise in dementia cases correlates with increased sugar
consumption, highlighting the damaging effects of high sugar on brain health, particularly through
vascular damage and neurotoxicity.

German Brain Foundation and German Neurology Society warn that too much sugar may be one of
the significant dementia causes. This notion is not new, but it is gaining traction as an increasing
number of studies show an association between metabolic disorders and dementia.

In fact, some health experts also call dementia a third type of diabetes. There are some strong
reasons to believe that, quite like diabetes, dementia risk is associated with adverse body changes
that occur in those living with metabolic disorders.

Just consider the fact that even by the mid-20th century, Alzheimer’s or other causes of dementia
were uncommon. However, from the mid-20th century onwards, there has been a steep rise in
dementia cases. This steep rise in dementia cases is proportional to the rise of metabolic disorders.
It is easy to guess that the human genome has not changed much in the last 50-70 years. So, this
sudden rise in dementia cases is due to other reasons.

For the last five decades, the world has experienced a consistent and brisk risk in dementia cases.
Such is the rise of dementia; that is, in many developed nations like the US, UK, and many EU
nations, dementia is now among the top 10 causes of mortality and disability.

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So, it is pretty easy to understand that such a sharp rise could only be due to significant lifestyle
changes that have occurred in the last 50 years or so.

It is also vital to understand that the difference between the remedy and the poison lies in the dose.
So, we should not blame glucose for dementia. Hence, it is not just about sugar intake but more
about excessive sugar intake.

Sugar consumption is rising globally. People are consuming sugars in massive amounts, and this is
really alarming. Just consider the case of Germany, where per capita sugar consumption is now
above 33 kg. Yes, that is a massive amount. Experts recommend that annual sugar intake should not
be more than 18 kgs per person. This means Germans consume twice as much sugar as the
recommended maximum sugar intake. Hence, as one can see, the problem is not just sugar intake; it
is more about excessive sugar consumption.

How sugar may cause dementia?

This is a valid question, especially considering that the human brain is an energy-hungry organ. It
needs lots of glucose to stay healthy. The human brain can only use glucose for its energy
requirements, which is unlike other organs that can also utilize fatty acids. Moreover, the human
brain uses as much as one-fourth of calories consumed by humans.

So, why is excessive sugar intake so bad for the brain?

Well, the role of excessive sugar in causing dementia is visible in the statistics. Researchers have
noticed that in Germany, vascular dementia is on the rise. Vascular dementia is very different from
Alzheimer’s. Researchers say that this rise in vascular dementia is especially associated with high
sugar intake.

Studies show that high sugar intake can damage blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.
Further, high sugar intake results in the formation of glycosaminoglycans, which can directly impair
cognition (1) .

It is vital to understand that the problem is not in the sugar but in its consistent intake. Just take an
example of one of the new studies, a systemic review and meta-analysis. It was found that sugar
may even improve mental performance for 2 to 12 hours. However, consistently high sugar intake
damages blood vessels, causes direct neurotoxicity, and thus causes irreversible brain damage,
leading to reduced mental abilities (2) .

Yet another worry is that sugar tends to be addictive. People who regularly consume high sugar have
sugar cravings. They find it really difficult to reduce sugar intake. So, health experts say it is vital to
break this cycle for a healthier brain. It is vital to understand that about 90% of strokes are
preventable, and 40% of dementia cases are preventable through lifestyle interventions.

Source:
1. American Chemical Society [Internet]. [cited 2024 Aug 4]. Sugars affect brain ‘plasticity,’ helping
with learning, memory, recovery. Available from:
https://www.acs.org/pressroom/newsreleases/2023/august/sugars-affect-brain-plasticity-
helping-with-learning-memory-recovery.html.

2. Gillespie KM, White MJ, Kemps E, Moore H, Dymond A, Bartlett SE. The Impact of Free and Added
Sugars on Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2023 Dec
25;16(1):75.