Every year thousands of people in different parts of the world receive a diagnosis of dementia. Now a study conducted by scientific centers in Spain provides new evidence of this The quality of the carbohydrates consumed has a direct influence on the risk of disease neurodegenerative diseases.
The research was published in International Journal of Epidemiologyfor the University of Rovira i Virgili (URV) next to the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV) and the Center for Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology (TecnATox)from Catalonia, Spain. The scientific team analyzed the eating habits of more than 200,000 adults in the UK for more than thirteen years. The results reinforce the importance of prioritizing foods with a low glycemic index to reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Over more than thirteen years, the research group examined in particular the Quality and quantity of Carbohydrates consumed by the participants, focusing on a parameter that is little known to the general population: the glycemic index (GI).
“The glycemic index measures how quickly carbohydrates raise blood sugar after consumption. A scale from 0 to 100 classifies foods according to their effect: potatoes and white bread, for example, have a high GI, while fruit and whole grains are in the low range,” explains Teacher Mònica BullóDirector of TecnATox and research leader.
The size of the analysis, which evaluated data from more than two hundred thousand people 13.25 yearsallowed scientists to determine with great precision the thresholds above which the amount of carbohydrates consumed increased the risk of disease Alzheimer and other types of dementia. At the end of the study 2,362 people They were diagnosed with cognitive impairment.
The results show that “diets containing a low to moderate glycemic index are associated with a 16% reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, while high levels are associated with a 14% increase in this risk.” The effect is attributed to the connection between blood sugar spikes after eating certain foods and long-term brain health.
“These results suggest that a diet rich in foods with a low glycemic index, such as fruits, legumes or whole grains, could reduce the risk of cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia,” the study said. Professor Mònica Bulló.
According to the researchers, the Carbohydrates They are the most common part of the diet in most countries and account for approx 55% of the total energy consumed daily by adults. Its effects on health go far beyond energy intake: it affects glucose metabolism and insulin production, two factors involved in the development of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.
“Not just the quantity, but also the Carbohydrate quality “Vitamins taken have a significant impact on metabolic health and the risk of related diseases such as Alzheimer’s,” emphasizes the team VRU in the original scientific article published by the International Journal of Epidemiology.
The study shows that not all carbohydrates are created equal. Prioritize fresh and unprocessed foodsB. whole fruits, legumes and whole grains promote blood sugar stability and, according to the results, could protect brain health in the long term.
On the contrary, diets that focus on products with a high glycemic index – such as white bread, sweets or highly processed foods – are preferred sudden fluctuations in blood sugar, a phenomenon that scientists have directly linked to an increased risk of dementia.
Although Age remains the main risk factor of cognitive disorders, experts agree Feed occupies a central place in prevention strategies. “These results highlight the importance of considering both the quantity and quality of carbohydrates as a strategy for the prevention and treatment of dementia,” the study concludes VRU in your report.
About The Author
