Scientists have revealed 15 key culprits that worsen the onset of dementia – and it’s bad news for those who love chocolate, according to the new study
It’s no secret that sugar is the tasty but dangerous culprit behind various deadly health problems, including type two diabetes and heart disease. But you may be surprised to know that it can even make your brain age faster, according to shocking new research.
Scientists at the University of Oxford have examined the brain scans of 40,000 Brits across the country to shed light on what factors can worsen the onset of dementia.
Among 161 identified, having type two diabetes was revealed to be one of the worst of all, with the condition often a consequence of a high sugar diet.
“What makes this study special is that we examined the unique contribution of each modifiable risk factor by looking at all of them together to assess the resulting degeneration of this particular brain ‘weak spot’,” said Professor Anderson Winkler, a US-based co-author from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
“It is with this kind of comprehensive, holistic approach − and once we had taken into account the effects of age and sex − that three emerged as the most harmful: diabetes, air pollution, and alcohol.”
Dementia refers to a loss of cognitive functioning, making it difficult for sufferers to remember, think and make decisions independently. The condition can have a dramatic impact on a person’s everyday life, often leading to heightened emotions and confusion.
There are almost one million people who experience dementia in the UK, including one every 11 people over the age of 65, according to the NHS. While experts identified 161 dangerous habits, these were classified into 15 top culprits, including blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, alongside diabetes.
If you’re guilty of drinking one too many beers scientists say you may also be at risk, as alcohol was another top offender in addition to smoking and even depressive moods.
Others may be surprised to know that pollution and a lack of sleep can play a part too, with tiredness linked to an increase in Alzheimer’s disease proteins.
Professor Gwenaëlle Douaud, who led the study, continued: “We know that a constellation of brain regions degenerates earlier in aging, and in this new study we have shown that these specific parts of the brain are most vulnerable to diabetes, traffic-related air pollution − increasingly a major player in dementia − and alcohol, of all the common risk factors for dementia.
“We have found that several variations in the genome influence this brain network, and they are implicated in cardiovascular deaths, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as with the two antigens of a little-known blood group, the elusive XG antigen system, which was an entirely new and unexpected finding.”
Although these factors can speed up dementia, it’s believed they are usually ‘modifiable’, implying it’s not too late to change if you’re guilty of unhealthy habits.
However, it’s currently unclear just how long it may take to reverse damage caused and what role genetics play in this too.
The study is published in the journal Nature Communications.
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