ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT ONLINE/APP): Drinking sugary beverages is
associated with markers of accelerated aging and early signs of
Alzheimer’s disease, a new study reports.
Researchers used data on more than 4,000 people over 30,
examining their brains with M.R.I. and measuring memory with
psychological tests. All completed well-validated food frequency
questionnaires, Health News reported.
Sugary beverage intake is an indirect measure of how much
sugar we get in our diets, which is difficult to measure
precisely.
The study, in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, found that on average,
the more sugary drinks consumed, the lower the total brain volume
and the lower the scores on memory tests. Brain shrinkage is tied
to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Compared with those who drank no sugary drinks, those who
drank one or two a day had a reduced brain volume equivalent to
1.6 years of normal aging, and lower memory scores equivalent to
5.8 years of aging. Those who drank more than two had decreased
brain volume equivalent to two years of normal aging and lower
memory scores by the equivalent of 11 years.
The researchers controlled for diabetes, blood pressure,
cholesterol, smoking and many other health and behavioral
characteristics.