By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
For some people, there is nothing like having something sweet to finish off a meal. For others, they’d rather consume sugary snacks and beverages all day long. And then there’s a minority of people like me who don’t really care for sweet foods at all. Regardless of your sugar preferences, an interesting study recently published in JCI Insight found that our sugar intakes impact our Alzheimer’s risk.
The study found that increased blood sugar levels caused an increase in the amount of beta-amyloid in the brain. This subsequently increased the amount of amyloid plaque in the brain, which is a known contributing factor to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Besides the higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s, many other risks exist that come from regularly consuming a diet high in sugar. So, it’s important to monitor how much we are consuming in our daily diets, and to consider areas where we could cut back. Adding more fresh fruits to your diet is a great place to start!
Arizona agriculture grows lots of delicious fruits such as citrus, apples, peaches, apricots, plums, melons, and more! Check them out at your local farmer’s market or grocery store!