One Common Food Ingredient That Can Increase Risk of Dementia
An ingredient found in a staggering number of foods could increase your risk of dementia and other health conditions.
Regular Sugar Consumption and Its Health Risks
Regularly eating too much of one extremely common food ingredient could lead to an increased risk of dementia, among other serious health conditions. Sugar is found in almost all supermarket foods and is a common additive in many drinks.
NHS Sugar Guidelines
According to the NHS, adults should consume no more than 30g of free sugar per day—roughly the equivalent of seven sugar cubes.
Free sugars are sugars added to foods and drinks, and not those naturally occurring in fruits, vegetables, and milk.
Despite this guidance, the British Nutrition Foundation reports that the average Brit gets around 12.5% of their daily calories from free sugars alone.
If you’re consuming a high amount of sugar daily, it’s essential to look for ways to cut down.
Dangers of Consuming Too Much Sugar
High and long-term sugar consumption has been linked to a wide range of serious health issues, including:
- Dementia: A study found a correlation between high sugar intake and an increased risk of developing dementia.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Another study revealed that increased sugar consumption is associated with a higher risk of death from heart-related conditions.
- Dental Damage: Sugar is a major cause of tooth decay.
- Weight Gain: Excessive sugar intake contributes significantly to obesity and weight-related issues.
Foods and Drinks High in Free Sugars
Free sugars are commonly found in many processed and packaged foods, such as:
- Chocolate
- Biscuits
- Breakfast cereals
- Fizzy drinks
- Cakes
- Flavoured yoghurts
While added sugars are the primary concern, some naturally occurring sugars—especially in drinks—should also be consumed in moderation.
⚠️ NHS guidance recommends limiting fruit juices and smoothies to no more than 150ml per day.
How to Monitor Your Sugar Intake
Naturally occurring sugars in fruit, vegetables, and milk are not considered harmful and should not be reduced.
To manage your sugar intake effectively:
- Check nutrition labels.
Labels are required in the UK and show the amount of sugar in a product under “carbohydrates – of which sugars”. - Use the sugar content guide:
- Low sugar: 5g or less per 100g
- High sugar: More than 22.5g per 100g
