Expert warning that eating these popular foods could increase risk of dementia

An expert has issued an urgent warning that certain popular foods could be significantly raising our risk of dementia later in life. Dementia affects almost one million people in the UK, with this number expected to increase due to our ageing population.

While genetics can have an impact on our chances of developing the progressive condition, we can also lower our risk ourselves by making certain changes. Patrick Holford, nutrition expert and founder of the Food For the Brain Foundation charity, places a strong emphasis on cutting down on certain foods.

Speaking to the Daily Record, Holford highlighted: "The three most important changes to what you eat, that probably reduce a person’s future risk for dementia by at least a third, are cutting right back on sugar and processed foods, eating fish and especially oily fish rich in omega-3 fats and eating more vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices, rich in antioxidants and polyphenols."

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While many of us may rely on refined, white carbohydrates found in foods like mass-produced white bread and pasta for our meals and snacks, he warned that these can trigger certain chemical reactions in our bodies when consumed in excess. Over time, this could potentially damage the brain and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Over prolonged periods, this could lead to potential harm to the brain and a higher likelihood of Alzheimer's disease. Delving deeper into the subject, Patrick explained: "Regularly consuming too much refined ‘white’ carbohydrate, from sugar to white bread, rice or pasta, disrupts the brain's glucose supply by promoting insulin resistance.

"Insulin is the hormone that aids in transporting glucose into the brain and, with an excessive intake of sugar and carbs, insulin receptors become unresponsive, effectively going ‘deaf’." Such a condition is referred to as 'insulin resistance', which ironically causes both an increase in blood glucose levels and a deficient delivery to the brain.

He cautioned that even marginally raised blood sugar levels could serve as an early 'predictor' of dementia for individuals aged over 35.