High sugar in diet could lead to Alzheimer’s: Study

A diet, high in sugar, could lead to Alzheimer's, according to a study that had established a link between sugar and the brain disease.

According to researchers from the University of Bath and King's College London, this was the first concrete evidence to explain why abnormally high blood sugar levels, or hyperglycaemia, had an impact on cognitive function, The Telegraph reported.

The research revealed the 'tipping point' at which blood sugar levels became so dangerous they allowed the neurological disease to take hold and once levels passed the threshold, they restricted the performance of a vital protein, which normally fought the brain inflammation associated with dementia.

"Excess sugar is well known to be bad for us when it comes to diabetes and obesity, but this potential link with Alzheimer's disease is yet another reason  that we should be controlling our sugar intake in our diets," said Dr Omar Kassaar.

Meanwhile, researchers at the University of California San Fransico found that the relationship between dementia, Alzheimer's, diabetes and hypoglycaemia was mutual. Results from the study revealed that there was a two-fold increased risk of developing dementia in people with clinical hypoglycaemia. Likewise, people with dementia were also expected to experience a severe hypoglycaemic event.

Diabetes also increased the risk of heart disease and stroke, which caused damage to the heart and blood vessels.

These damaged blood vessels in the brain might contribute to the condition.

The brain worked with many chemicals and too much of insulin could cause imbalance in these chemicals.

Some of these changes might also help to trigger Alzheimer's disease. High blood sugar was also known to cause inflammation, which might cause damage to the brain cells and lead to development of Alzheimer's disease.