Doctors have linked fructose with the development of dementia

Scientists at the University of Colorado have found that fructose may be linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The results of the study are published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Alzheimer’s disease is usually caused by the accumulation of inflammatory proteins in the human brain that slowly destroy neurons, which has a negative impact on cognitive function. The authors suggest that Alzheimer’s disease may be caused by nutrition and the constantly on the desire to search for food.

This behavior usually manifests itself during hungry periods. It blocks everything that interferes with effective foraging, such as recent memories and attention to time. Fructose, a type of sugar, helps to weaken the centers in the brain that are responsible for these functions.

Fructose metabolism reduces blood flow to the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for self-control, as well as to the hippocampus and thalamus. Meanwhile, blood flow increases around the visual cortex associated with food reward.

“Chronic and persistent decline in brain metabolism leads to progressive brain atrophy and loss of neurons with all the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Most likely in some people, this behavior is constantly “on”. This leads to overeating of fatty, sweet and salty foods, which increases the production of fructose in the brain,” the authors noted.

This was confirmed by experiments: in animals treated with fructose, there were memory lapses, loss of the ability to navigate the maze and inflammation of neurons.

“The study showed that if lab rats are kept on fructose long enough, they develop large amounts of tau- and beta-amyloid proteins in their brains, which are observed in Alzheimer’s disease,” the researchers concluded.

Proper nutrition can prevent many diseases. One of the healthiest diets is the Mediterranean diet. See the gallery to see what products are included in its basis:

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