Brain Disorders & Therapy

Predictive Value of Sugar Intake and Genetic Profile in Dementia Occurrence

Hyeon Woo Jang^* Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
^*Correspondence: Hyeon Woo Jang, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, Email:

Received: 26-May-2025, Manuscript No. BDT-25-29724; Editor assigned: 28-May-2025, Pre QC No. BDT-25-29724 (PQ); Reviewed: 11-Jun-2025, QC No. BDT-25-29724; Revised: 18-Jun-2025, Manuscript No. BDT-25-29724 (R); Published: 25-Jun-2025, DOI: 10.35248/2168-975X.25.14.304

Description

Dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), represents a major global health burden as populations age. It is now recognized as one of the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. While genetic predispositions play a crucial role in determining susceptibility, lifestyle factors, especially diet, are increasingly seen as important modulators of risk. Among these, sugar consumption has emerged as a key dietary component influencing long-term brain health. Excessive intake of added sugars, largely derived from processed foods and sweetened beverages, is associated with obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, all of which increase the likelihood of cognitive decline.

The relationship between sugar and brain health is complex. While glucose is the brain’s primary fuel source, sustained high levels of blood sugar can disrupt metabolic balance, trigger inflammation and impair vascular integrity. Such disturbances create a hostile environment for neurons and promote pathological processes implicated in dementia. High sugar diets have been associated with structural brain changes, including reduced hippocampal volume, a region critical for memory. Additionally, insulin resistance within the brain, sometimes referred to as “type 3 diabetes,” has been linked to amyloid plaque formation and tau pathology, hallmark features of Alzheimer’s disease. The presence of genetic risk factors may further exacerbate these effects, as this allele is known to influence lipid metabolism, synaptic repair and amyloid clearance. Together, these elements highlight a convergence of genetic susceptibility and dietary exposure that shapes cognitive aging trajectories.

Implications for Prevention

The findings of this research carry important implications for public health and personalized medicine. Given the modifiable nature of dietary habits, reducing added sugar intake emerges as a feasible and impactful preventive strategy, particularly for those with elevated genetic risk. Individuals carrying the allele may require stricter dietary guidelines to minimize their vulnerability. More broadly, dietary recommendations that encourage reduced consumption of processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages can contribute to lowering population-wide dementia risk.

On a clinical level, integrating genetic screening with nutritional counseling could help identify high-risk individuals and tailor interventions accordingly. While ethical and logistical considerations remain in implementing widespread genetic testing, the concept of precision nutrition—where dietary guidelines are adapted to individual genetic profiles—holds significant promise. Public health initiatives should balance universal strategies for healthy eating with targeted programs for genetically susceptible populations, ensuring equitable and effective prevention.

This prospective cohort study demonstrates that excessive sugar consumption significantly increases dementia risk, particularly in genetically susceptible individuals. The findings highlight the intricate interplay between genetic and environmental factors in shaping long-term cognitive outcomes. While genetics cannot be altered, dietary choices can be modified, offering a tangible pathway to reduce risk. These results emphasize the need for comprehensive approaches to dementia prevention that integrate both genetic risk assessment and lifestyle modification. Limiting added sugar intake, alongside other health-promoting behaviors, could delay or reduce the onset of cognitive decline, especially in genetically vulnerable groups. As dementia continues to impose a growing burden on health systems and societies, adopting strategies that merge genetic insight with public health nutrition may offer one of the most effective ways to address this complex disease.