People may love to eat cookies, muffins, cake and other foods that are known to be loaded in carbohydrates; however, new research from the Mayo Clinic reveals that the more of these treats individuals 70 years old and over consume, the greater the chance they will develop mild cognitive impairment.
During the study, researchers worked with 1,230 individuals between the ages of 70 and 89 and asked them to provide information on what they ate one year earlier. At this time, these individuals' cognitive function was also evaluated.
Researchers found that participants whose diets were rich in carbohydrates were also more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment soon after. In fact, the risk of cognitive decline was almost two times greater for individuals who digested more carbohydrates than those who consumed fewer of these foods.
"A high carbohydrate intake could be bad for you because carbohydrates impact your glucose and insulin metabolism," said Rosebud Roberts, a Mayo Clinic epidemiologist and the study's lead author. "Sugar fuels the brain – so moderate intake is good. However, high levels of sugar may actually prevent the brain from using the sugar."
Based on the Mayo Clinic's findings, adults may want to take an IQ test and see if they need to reevaluate their diet.
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