DEMENTIA RISK CAN BE HEIGHTENED BY ADDICTION TO SWEET SUBSTANCE, STUDY FINDS

Over six million Americans are living with dementia and the number is expected to double to 13.8 million by 2060, if there isn't a medical breakthrough in the intervening period. Dementia is an umbrella term for a number of neurodegenerative issues, such as Alzheimer's, that impact a person's cognitive abilities and memory.

While dementia is mostly diagnosed in a person over the age of 65, symptoms can start to develop in early life. While there is no definitively established cause of dementia, lifestyle choices and inflammation are thought to be contributory factors.

According to researchers, one potential early sign of the development of dementia is a pronounced craving and addiction to sweet foods and drinks. Primarily associated with diabetes, sugar addiction could also be problematic for the health of the brain.

An excessive craving for foods like chocolate and cake, per the research from Broadgate General Practice in London, especially with softer textures, could be an indicator of an individual having a higher risk of contracting dementia. According to the studies, a preference for these types of food is related to the fact that they are soft and easier to chew and to swallow.

Issues with eating can be experienced by people with neurodegenerative issues. Dementia can also cause taste perception to be altered, making a person prefer sweeter foods over savoury flavoured snacks. These tastes and textures can also be linked to positive experiences and memories in the brain.

Additionally, some people who show a preference for sweet foods can forget about the other kinds of food available, can fail to recognise when they are actually hungry and forget to eat. Over a period of time, this can cause health issues. This can also manifest itself in nutritional deficiencies in people with dementia, given they may choose to eat unhealthy foods.

There were several other symptoms of dementia, such as mood swings, memory loss, poor judgement, loss of mental sharpness, inability to hold a conversation and a low speed of thinking.

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2024-04-09T14:17:19Z dg43tfdfdgfd