A recent study has found that consuming very little sugar during the first two years of life may be associated with a lower risk of developing dementia later in life. Researchers reported that individuals who experienced restricted sugar intake during early childhood were 23% less likely to develop dementia in older age.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, analysed data from nearly 65,000 participants enrolled in the UK Biobank. The research aimed to examine the relationship between sugar consumption during early life and brain health in later years.
Jiachen Zheng, a member of the research team, said the findings suggest that limiting sugar intake during the earliest stages of life may provide long-term benefits for brain health. However, he stressed that further research is needed to better understand the relationship between sugar consumption and the risk of dementia.
Experts noted that while the study provides important insights into the long-term impact of early-life nutrition on brain health, it does not conclusively prove that reducing sugar intake directly prevents dementia. They emphasised the importance of maintaining a healthy, balanced diet to support lifelong brain health.
