Major points:
- A scientific study by the Neatic team investigated over 186,000 individuals to assess whether sugar from different foods is associated with the risk of dementia.
- For free sugars from beverages (lower left figure) – and surprisingly, also for intrinsic sugars (upper right figure) – the risk of dementia increased steadily above 5% and 10% of total energy intake (%E), respectively. In contrast, no significant association was found for free sugars from solid foods (lower right figure).
- This study supports the approach of Neatic to limit free sugars. Further research is needed to determine the role intrinsic sugars may play in dementia.
What do we know about sugar?
Sugar is categorized into free and intrinsic sugar. To date, compelling evidence exists only for free sugar, indicating it has negative health effects, such as promoting obesity and depression, as well as shortening lifespan.
What does the study investigate?
Globally, approximately 55 million people have dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases each year. Dementia is characterized by a decline in cognitive abilities that surpasses the typical effects of aging.
Although age is one of the most significant risk factors for dementia, evidence suggests that overweight and obesity are also associated with a higher risk of the disease. Current research indicates that high sugar consumption is a potential risk factor for developing dementia.
Therefore, the Neatic team examined within a scientific study whether there is a connection between sugar consumption from various foods and the risk of dementia.
The study analyzed data from over 186,000 participants in the UK Biobank study, who had completed a 24-hour dietary recall. At the time of analysis, 1,498 participants had been diagnosed with dementia. Daily intake of free and intrinsic sugars from different foods was determined and the association between these sugars and the risk of dementia was evaluated. All analyses were adjusted for factors influencing dementia risk, such as age, gender, alcohol consumption, and overall health status.
What did the study find?
Consumption of free sugars (upper left figure) – and, surprisingly, intrinsic sugars (upper right figure) – was associated with a steadily increasing risk of dementia when intake exceeded 10% of total energy (%E).
For free sugars from beverages, the risk of dementia increased steadily from an intake of 5%E (lower left figure). In contrast, no significant association with dementia risk was found for free sugars from solid foods (e.g., cakes; lower right figure).
Furthermore, the study analyzed free sugars in four beverage categories:
- Soft drinks: A steady increase in dementia risk was observed from a consumption of 1%E (approximately 5 g of free sugars or 50 ml of cola).
- Juice: The statistically lowest risk was at 2%E (approximately 10 g of free sugars or 125 ml of orange juice), with a 12% higher risk of dementia among non-consumers.
- Sweetened milk beverages: The risk of disease increased steadily from 0%E and was 46% higher at 4%E (approximately 20 g of free sugars or 100 ml of vanilla shake) compared to non-consumers.
- Sweetened tea and coffee: This was the only beverage category where no significant association between free sugar intake and dementia risk was found.
What is the conclusion of the study?
This study supports the approach of Neatic, as well as the recommendations of the WHO and several professional societies (e.g., the German Nutrition Society), to reduce free sugars in the diet.
The association between sugar consumption and dementia is particularly evident for free sugars from beverages, especially soft drinks and sweetened milk beverages. In contrast to findings in the same cohort regarding mortality and depression, this study also found, for the first time, an association between intrinsic sugars and the risk of dementia. This unexpected finding requires further investigation.
What does Neatic recommend concerning sugar consumption?
Based on the findings, Neatic recommends limiting the intake of free sugars, particularly from beverages such as soft drinks and sweetened milk beverages, to reduce the risk of dementia. Further research is needed to clarify the role of intrinsic sugars in dementia development.
Bibliography
German Society for Nutrition (2018): Quantitative recommendation on sugar intake in Germany. Available online at https://www.dge.de/wissenschaft/stellungnahmen-und-fachinformationen/stellungnahmen/quantitative-empfehlung-zur-zuckerzufuhr-in-deutschland/, checked on 1/24/2024.
Kaiser, Anna; Schaefer, Sylva M.; Behrendt, Inken; Eichner, Gerrit; Fasshauer, Mathias (2022): Association of sugar intake from different sources with incident depression in the prospective cohort of UK Biobank participants. Eur J Nutr 62 (2), pp. 727–738. DOI: 10.1007/s00394-022-03022-7.
Kaiser, Anna; Schaefer, Sylva M.; Behrendt, Inken; Eichner, Gerrit; Fasshauer, Mathias (2022): Association of all-cause mortality with sugar intake from different sources in the prospective cohort of UK Biobank participants. Br J Nutr, pp. 1–25. DOI: 10.1017/S0007114522003233.
Schaefer, Sylva M.; Kaiser, Anna; Eichner, Gerrit; Fasshauer, Mathias (2023): Association of sugar intake from different sources with incident dementia in the prospective cohort of UK Biobank participants. Nutrition journal 22 (1), p. 42. DOI: 10.1186/s12937-023-00871-8.
World Health Organization (2015): Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children. Available online at https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549028, checked on 3/30/2023.
World Health Organization (2023): Dementia. Key Facts. Available online at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia, checked on 1/10/2024.