Does this “brain bombshell” drive MILLIONS of devastating diagnoses?

Posted on February 1, 2025 by Dr. Fred

Falling into Big Food’s “sweet trap” skyrockets your risk of developing THIS dreaded brain disease

Tell me if this sounds familiar…

You’re happily going about your day when suddenly you’re hit with an intense craving for something sweet—a doughnut, cookie, milkshake, caramel latte, or maybe a candy bar you have stashed in your car “for emergencies.”

You give in, savoring every sweet, melt-in-your-mouth moment.

But just as fast as the sugar rush hits your senses, it vanishes. You’re left feeling sluggish, drained, and crankier than a kid who just dropped his ice cream cone.

If this “sweet trap” sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. The average American consumes a staggering 156 pounds of added sugar per year. It’s a vicious cycle that can lead to many detrimental health effects, like weight gain, poor blood sugar control, and low mood—leaving you feeling terrible about your ability to make better your food choices.

But here’s a “brain bombshell” Big Food companies don’t want you to know…

They purposefully pack their products with addictive ingredients like sugar. And every time you fall into their “sweet trap,” it doesn’t just mess with your waistline, blood sugar, and willpower…

It also SKYROCKETS your risk of developing a devastating brain disease that afflicts almost seven million men and women in this country alone. 

And since the powers-that-be have yet to take this “sweet trap” seriously, you MUST learn how to protect yourself against it. That starts with steering clear of sugar’s tempting pitfall.

But first, let’s break down exactly how sugar hijacks your brain—so you can then take sensible steps to safeguard your health.

The sweet poison attacking your brain

I’ve been practicing medicine for over 30 years. And throughout that time, I’ve been blaming sugar for most of what ails us. That includes Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the devastating brain condition that afflicts millions.

Well, I’m pleased to report that science is finally starting to catch up…

In a groundbreaking analysis published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers examined—for the first time—the relationship between total sugar intake and AD risk.1

It turns out that people with the highest intake of dietary sugar have a staggering 200 percent heightened risk of developing AD compared to those with the lowest intake. Even worse, they develop Alzheimer’s an average of seven years earlier.

This strong association between sugar and AD held even after the researchers controlled for (eliminated) other strong factors that may have influenced outcomes, such as a family history of dementia.

Of course, we also know that people with Type 2 diabetes have a much higher risk of developing AD. (Some even call AD “Type 3 diabetes.”) But in this study, even when researchers eliminated people with Type 2 diabetes, the association between sugar and AD remained STRONG…

This suggests that high sugar intake all by itself fuels the development of this devastating brain disease.

In their conclusion, the researchers said their findings suggest that reducing sugar intake may reduce the risk of developing AD. Are you kidding me? They make a bombshell discovery—and then back off from issuing a definitive conclusion?!

It’s also rather mind-blowing that this is the FIRST study to ever make this connection between sugar intake and AD. Especially since we already know that sugar harms the brain in four major ways…

Four ways sugar harms your brain

Your brain uses more energy than any other organ in your body—up to 60 percent of your daily supply.

Its primary fuel is glucose, a type of sugar your body naturally produces by breaking down complex carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. So, getting a steady supply of these healthy nutrients ensures that your brain has all the energy it needs to function.

But when you flood your system with processed foods with added sugar like sucrose (table sugar) or high-fructose corn syrup, it HARMS your brain in four major ways.

First, sugar starves your brain by disrupting how it uses glucose.2

In fact, people with chronically high blood sugar levels have reduced glucose uptake in key brain regions, including those responsible for memory and decision-making. This impaired glucose uptake STARVES the neurons in your brain—causing memory issues, brain fog, and slower thinking in people who don’t yet have AD. Research even suggests that impaired glucose metabolism may drive the development of AD.

Second, a diet high in added sugar reduces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a chemical that helps with learning and memory.3 In fact, without enough BDNF, your brain can’t make new neural connections. So, you have a harder time learning or remembering much of anything. (No wonder people with the highest intake of sugar-sweetened beverages have poorer performance on memory tests than those with the lowest intake!)

We also know that people with prediabetes and diabetes have particularly low levels of BDNF—putting them at greater risk of cognitive decline over time.

Third, excess added sugar triggers chronic inflammation—even in your brain! This damages blood vessels, reduces blood flow to critical areas, and impairs the delivery of nutrients. Chronic inflammation also thwarts the brain’s ability to clear amyloid plaque, the sticky protein that’s believed to be associated with AD.

Fourth, sugar harms your brain by hijacking its reward system. As we all know, sugar is highly addictive. In fact, research shows it stimulates the exact same brain pathways as alcohol and nicotine. It’s actually more addictive than substances like cocaine or opioids.4

Over time, this powerful addiction dulls your brain’s natural ability to regulate cravings and say “NO” to sweet treats. This creates the dangerous cycle I alluded to earlier, where the more sugar you eat, the more you crave it—leading to damage in your body and your brain.

The good news is, it’s never too late to take steps to protect your brain from this “sweet trap.”

Breaking the “sweet” cycle

You’re not powerless against sugar’s sweet, sticky grip. In fact, you can take back control and protect yourself from AD and brain decline as you get older by following these simple steps:

1.) Fuel your brain with “smart foods.” Most Americans have no idea that the foods lining grocery store shelves are packed with sugar and other harmful ingredients that can cause brain decline. To combat this risk, you must stay vigilant about what you put in your grocery cart each week. (Refer to last month’s Logical Health Alternatives for tips on how to spot harmful additives at the grocery store.)

In general, you’ll want to ditch the sugar-filled junk food and focus on following a Mediterranean-type diet, like the one I describe in my A-List Diet book. (Get a copy of my book on my website, www.DrPescatore.com. Navigate to the “Books” tab using the blue navigation bar.)

Here are some standout whole foods to support your brain (and your blood sugar)…

Eggs. A major, new study published last year found that older adults who ate more than one to two eggs a week had a lower risk of developing AD than those who ate less.5 This certainly makes sense, as eggs contain loads of choline, omega-3 fatty acids, and lutein, all of which support brain health.

Fish. Fish and seafood are rich in EPA and DHA, two omega-3 fatty acids that support brain health. And my grandmother always told me that eating more fish and seafood would “feed my brain.”

Well, a massive meta-analysis involving more than 20,000 men and women confirms that way of thinking. In fact, researchers found that people who eat more fish each week have a slower decline in cognition and memory.6

In another study, researchers concluded that men and women over age 65 who ate just one serving of fish a week had significantly less cognitive decline than their peers.7 They even performed as well as men and women nearly two years YOUNGER than themselves on memory testing.

Nuts. Recent research suggests just a handful of nuts can go a long way in protecting your brain against aging and decline. In one recent study, researchers divided adults at an average age of 65 into two groups.8 The first group consumed 60 grams (about a handful) of walnuts, pistachios, cashews, or hazelnuts per day for 16 weeks. The second group consumed no nuts. Then, the groups switched after an eight-week washout period. It turns out, daily nut consumption increased blood flow to key areas of the brain associated with memory. It also improved blood flow throughout the body and reduced arterial stiffness.

Best of all, after consuming the nuts for 16 weeks, the participants could remember nearly 20 percent more words in a verbal memory test! So, imagine the improvements you could see by eating a handful of nuts daily, along with adopting other brain-boosting habits.

2.) Consider some “brain-boosting” supplements. In a study published late last year, researchers looked at the effect of fish oil supplements on older adults with a genetic predisposition to developing AD. They experienced a “dramatic reduction” in brain cell breakdown after just one year of fish oil treatment compared to the control group.9

You may also want to check out Hokkaido Scallop Oil Plasmalogens (HSOP™), special fat molecules that can actually REPAIR brain cells and boost cognition.10 In an exciting pilot study, participants showed “significant improvements” in their cognitive function scores within just 90 days of supplementing with HSOP. Some participants even improved from “mild-to-moderate” cognitive impairment into the “normal” range of cognitive function. (Visit www.dhdmed.com/products/daiwa-brain-health to learn more.)

I also outline an exclusive lineup of targeted nutritional supplements for ultimate brain support in my very own Alzheimer’s Prevention and Treatment Plan. To learn more about this innovative, online learning tool, call 1-866-747-9421 and ask for order code GOV35201.

3.) Get moving. Physical activity also protects your brain against decline. In fact, in a meta-analysis of 16 separate studies, researchers discovered that regular exercise reduces the risk of developing dementia by 28 percent. And it reduces the risk of developing AD specifically by a whopping 45 percent!11

It seems that exercise helps the brain build new neural connections. It also supports BDNF (the learning and memory chemical that eating sugar threatens). So, as always, aim to move your body for 20 to 30 minutes each day.

4.) Keep your mind active. In a recent study of more than 15,000 adults aged 65 and older, those who participated in more “intellectual activities” were less likely to develop dementia than their peers.12 These activities included reading books, newspapers, or magazines; playing board games, Mahjong, or card games; or even betting on horse racing!

The key here is to find something that stimulates your curiosity and engages your mind in a deeper way than just passively watching TV. So, whether you like reading mystery novels, working on crossword puzzles, or learning about bonsai trees—find something that tickles your fancy and stimulates deep thought.

Kick your sugar habit to the curb

Big Food doesn’t want you to know that their sweet and addicting packaged foods aren’t just expanding your waistline—they’re also sabotaging your brain. In fact, by consistently indulging in their creations, you may be doubling your risk of developing AD.

But you aren’t helpless in this fight. You can break free and avoid falling into their “sweet trap” by following the steps I outline above. And trust me when I say that life’s far sweeter when you’re in control of what you eat.

So, why wait? Break free from the hold the sweet stuff has on you—and keep your mind sharp as a tack.

References:

  1. “Dietary Sugar Intake Associated with a Higher Risk of Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.” J Alzheimers Dis. 2023;95(4):1417-1425. doi.org/10.3233/JAD-230013.
  2. “Sugar and Alzheimer’s disease: a bittersweet truth.” Nat Neurosci. 2015 Apr;18(4):477-8. doi.org/10.1038/nn.3986.
  3. “What Eating Too Much Sugar Does to Your Brain.” Psychology Today, 4/27/12. (psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neuronarrative/201204/what-eating-too-much-sugar-does-your-brain)
  4. “Is Sugar More Addictive Than Cocaine.” Ramsay Health Care, accessed 12/21/24.
  5. “Association of Egg Intake With Alzheimer’s Dementia Risk in Older Adults: The Rush Memory and Aging Project.” J Nutr. 2024 Jul;154(7):2236-2243. doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.05.012.
  6. “Fish Intake, Genetic Predisposition to Alzheimer Disease, and Decline in Global Cognition and Memory in 5 Cohorts of Older Persons.” Am J Epidemiol. 2018 May 1;187(5):933-940. doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwx330.
  7. “Eating more fish linked to lower cognitive decline in the over 65s.” NutraIngredients, 8/5/14. (nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2014/08/06/Eating-more-fish-linked-to-lower-cognitive-decline-in-the-over-65s/)
  8. “Could eating more nuts help boost memory later in life?” Medical News Today, 6/12/23. (medicalnewstoday.com/articles/could-eating-more-nuts-help-boost-memory-later-in-life)
  9. “ω-3 PUFA for Secondary Prevention of White Matter Lesions and Neuronal Integrity Breakdown in Older AdultsA Randomized Clinical Trial.” JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(8):e2426872. doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.26872
  10. “Peripheral ethanolamine plasmalogen deficiency: a logical causative factor in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.” J Lipid Res. 2007 Nov;48(11):2485-98. doi.org/10.1194/jlr.P700023-JLR200.
  11. “How Exercise Reduces Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.” Stanford Lifestyle Medicine, 5/24/24. (longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2024/05/28/how-exercise-reduces-risk-of-alzheimers-disease/)
  12. “Daily Intellectual Activity May Prevent, Delay Dementia.” Medscape, 7/9/18. (medscape.com/viewarticle/899071)