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More than 55 million people have dementia worldwide, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common form of dementia, contributing to 60% to 70% of dementia cases.Having Alzheimer’s disease means that you have a progressive disorder that causes brain cells to degenerate and die. This leads to a continuous decline in memory, thinking skills and the ability to perform tasks.Unfortunately, as the disease advances, completing daily activities or communicating becomes difficult.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing dementia (specifically Alzheimer’s disease), with some being completely out of your control. Aging is the most significant factor, with individuals over the age of 65 at a greater risk. Genetics also play a crucial role, with certain genetic mutations linked directly to the disease.
Along with things you can’t change, certain lifestyle factors candecrease the risk of cognitive decline—and your diet is one important piece of the puzzle. One eating pattern that’s designed to help protect against dementia is theMIND diet. “Some of the best foods for brain health are antioxidant-rich wild blueberries, salad greens for B vitamins, salmon for its anti-inflammatory fatty acids, fiber-rich black beans, and walnuts, the best source of plant-based omega-3 ALA among nuts,” saysMaggie Moon, M.S., RD, a dietitian and author ofThe MIND Diet.
6 Foods You Should Be Eating Every Day for Better Brain Health, According to a Dietitian
For those focused on reducing their Alzheimer’s disease risk, along with eating foods that support brain health, certain foods are best limited—and there is one food that tops this list.
The #1 Food to Limit to Reduce Dementia Risk
Taking steps to reduce dementia risk is one positive step for brain health. While there isn’t one food that will cause dementia, sugary candy tops the list of foods that are recommended to be limited on a brain-healthy diet.
“Sugary candies are not your brain’s friend,” Moon says. She points to a study that found that eating too much added sugar more than doubled the risk for dementia.“That includes added sugar from candies, as well as other sweets like pastries, sweetened café drinks and sodas,” she says. Researchers think that high blood sugar and insulin levels are risk factors for Alzheimer’s because insulin resistance may also occur in the brain, which may impact memory.
Of course, everything can be eaten in moderation in a healthy, balanced eating plan. “While fine once in a while, research has found that a diet that is consistently high in refined sugar may increase the amyloid plaque buildup in the brain,” saysLaura M. Ali, M.S., RDN, a dietitian and author ofMIND Diet for Two. These plaques disrupt the communication system in our brain, and scientists have found that people with Alzheimer’s disease tend to have more of these plaques.”
In fact, says Ali, one study found that every 10 grams of sugar a day consumed (equivalent to 2½ teaspoons of sugar or 8 gummy candies) was associated with a 1.3% to 1.4% increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.Those with the highest daily sugar intake had 19% higher odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Other Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Dementia
Limiting sugary candy is no guarantee of aging without dementia, but it is a positive step forward. Along with limiting added sugar in your diet, here are some other ways to reduce your dementia risk:
6-Ingredient Dinners to Support Your Brain Health (Weekly Plan & Shopping List!)
The Bottom Line
Nothing will guarantee living a life free from developing dementia. But certain steps may help reduce your risk, with your dietary choices being one factor. And along with eating brain-healthy foods, limiting your sugary candy intake can help keep you cognitively sharp. Enjoying a small handful of candy corn on Halloween or conversation hearts on Valentine’s Day won’t “cause” dementia. “It’s important to remember that no single food eaten once, or even once in a while, is going to make or break your brain health,” Moon adds.
The #1 Activity to Limit to Reduce Your Risk of Dementia, According to Dietitians
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Dementia.Alzheimer’s Association.What is Alzheimer’s Disease?National Institute on Aging.Thinking About Your Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease? Five Questions To Consider.Agarwal P, Ford CN, Leurgans SE, Beck T, Desai P, Dhana K, Evans DA, Halloway S, Holland TM, Krueger KR, Liu X, Rajan KB, Bennett DA.Dietary Sugar Intake Associated with a Higher Risk of Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.J Alzheimers Dis. 2023;95(4):1417-1425. doi:10.3233/JAD-230013Taylor MK, Sullivan DK, Swerdlow RH, Vidoni ED, Morris JK, Mahnken JD, Burns JM.A high-glycemic diet is associated with cerebral amyloid burden in cognitively normal older adults.Am J Clin Nutr. 2017 Dec;106(6):1463-1470. doi:10.3945/ajcn.117.162263Alzheimer’s Association.Inside the Brain.U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Candy, gummy.Liu L, Volpe SL, Ross JA, Grimm JA, Van Bockstaele EJ, Eisen HJ.Dietary sugar intake and risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older women.Nutr Neurosci. 2022 Nov;25(11):2302-2313. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2021.1959099Alzheimer’s Association.Risk Reduction.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Dietary Guidelines for Alcohol.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Dementia.Alzheimer’s Association.What is Alzheimer’s Disease?National Institute on Aging.Thinking About Your Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease? Five Questions To Consider.Agarwal P, Ford CN, Leurgans SE, Beck T, Desai P, Dhana K, Evans DA, Halloway S, Holland TM, Krueger KR, Liu X, Rajan KB, Bennett DA.Dietary Sugar Intake Associated with a Higher Risk of Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.J Alzheimers Dis. 2023;95(4):1417-1425. doi:10.3233/JAD-230013Taylor MK, Sullivan DK, Swerdlow RH, Vidoni ED, Morris JK, Mahnken JD, Burns JM.A high-glycemic diet is associated with cerebral amyloid burden in cognitively normal older adults.Am J Clin Nutr. 2017 Dec;106(6):1463-1470. doi:10.3945/ajcn.117.162263Alzheimer’s Association.Inside the Brain.U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Candy, gummy.Liu L, Volpe SL, Ross JA, Grimm JA, Van Bockstaele EJ, Eisen HJ.Dietary sugar intake and risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older women.Nutr Neurosci. 2022 Nov;25(11):2302-2313. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2021.1959099Alzheimer’s Association.Risk Reduction.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Dietary Guidelines for Alcohol.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
World Health Organization.Dementia.Alzheimer’s Association.What is Alzheimer’s Disease?National Institute on Aging.Thinking About Your Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease? Five Questions To Consider.Agarwal P, Ford CN, Leurgans SE, Beck T, Desai P, Dhana K, Evans DA, Halloway S, Holland TM, Krueger KR, Liu X, Rajan KB, Bennett DA.Dietary Sugar Intake Associated with a Higher Risk of Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.J Alzheimers Dis. 2023;95(4):1417-1425. doi:10.3233/JAD-230013Taylor MK, Sullivan DK, Swerdlow RH, Vidoni ED, Morris JK, Mahnken JD, Burns JM.A high-glycemic diet is associated with cerebral amyloid burden in cognitively normal older adults.Am J Clin Nutr. 2017 Dec;106(6):1463-1470. doi:10.3945/ajcn.117.162263Alzheimer’s Association.Inside the Brain.U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Candy, gummy.Liu L, Volpe SL, Ross JA, Grimm JA, Van Bockstaele EJ, Eisen HJ.Dietary sugar intake and risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older women.Nutr Neurosci. 2022 Nov;25(11):2302-2313. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2021.1959099Alzheimer’s Association.Risk Reduction.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Dietary Guidelines for Alcohol.
World Health Organization.Dementia.
Alzheimer’s Association.What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
National Institute on Aging.Thinking About Your Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease? Five Questions To Consider.
Agarwal P, Ford CN, Leurgans SE, Beck T, Desai P, Dhana K, Evans DA, Halloway S, Holland TM, Krueger KR, Liu X, Rajan KB, Bennett DA.Dietary Sugar Intake Associated with a Higher Risk of Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.J Alzheimers Dis. 2023;95(4):1417-1425. doi:10.3233/JAD-230013
Taylor MK, Sullivan DK, Swerdlow RH, Vidoni ED, Morris JK, Mahnken JD, Burns JM.A high-glycemic diet is associated with cerebral amyloid burden in cognitively normal older adults.Am J Clin Nutr. 2017 Dec;106(6):1463-1470. doi:10.3945/ajcn.117.162263
Alzheimer’s Association.Inside the Brain.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.Candy, gummy.
Liu L, Volpe SL, Ross JA, Grimm JA, Van Bockstaele EJ, Eisen HJ.Dietary sugar intake and risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older women.Nutr Neurosci. 2022 Nov;25(11):2302-2313. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2021.1959099
Alzheimer’s Association.Risk Reduction.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Dietary Guidelines for Alcohol.
