Sugary beverages may increase Alzheimer's risk

Washington, Dec 12 (UNI) Excess drinking of sugary beverages like soda or soft drinks may increase the risk of Alzheimer's, suggests a new research.

Obesity and diabetes are said to be associated with higher incidences of Alzheimer's, as it was tested whether high sugar consumption in an otherwise normal diet would affect Alzheimer's progression.

It was been tested on a genetic mouse model that develops Alzheimer like symptoms in adulthood by giving a regular balanced diet with 10 per cent sugar water.

On comparing the metabolism, memory skills and brain composition of the regular and sugar-fed mice, it was seen that the latter gained about 17 per cent more weight, had high cholesterol levels and developed insulin resistance.

These mice also had worse learning and memory retention, and their brains contained over twice as many amyloid plaque deposits, an anatomical rise in Alzheimer's, the Science Daily reported.

''These results to highlight the potential risk of sugary beverages. Although it was noted that the human equivalent of the mouse diet would be roughly five cans of soda per day, since mice have a higher metabolism, it may actually take less sugar intake in humans,'' Science Daily quoted researcher Ling Li as saying.

UNI