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Habitual sugar intake and cognitive function among middle-aged and older Puerto Ricans without diabetes
Ye et al. (2011) analyzed the participants of the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study to determine whether consumptions of total sugars, added sugars, sugar-sweetened beverages or sweetened solid foods are associated with cognitive function. A total of 737 adults (aged 45-75) without diabetes completed food frequency questionnaires and were examined on cognitive function using several tests (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), word list learning, digit span, clock drawing, figure copying, and Stroop and verbal fluency tests. After adjusting for covariates, Lower cognitive performance (indicated by lower MMSE score) was associated with higher consumptions of total sugars, added sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages, but not of sugar-sweetened solid foods. When comparing the highest to lowest intake quintiles for total sugars and added sugars, the adjusted odds ratios for cognitive impairment ((MMSE score < 24) were 2.23 and 2.28, respectively. Moreover, higher total sugar intake was significantly linked to lower word list learning scores, implicating greater sugar consumption’s link with lower cognitive function, although longitudinal studies may be required to confirm the direction of the causality. [NPID: sugar, processed food, cognition, diabetes]
Year: 2011
