Study Highlights Link Between Spiking Blood Sugar After Meals and Alzheimer's Disease - Video
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Overview
Sharp spikes in blood sugar after meals-something many people experience without noticing-may quietly increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study from the University of Liverpool. This research highlights the potential importance of managing post-meal glucose levels for long-term brain health.
The findings are published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. For years, scientists have observed that metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and chronic high blood sugar are linked to cognitive decline and dementia. Yet, the exact ways in which fluctuations in blood sugar affect the brain have remained unclear. This study provides fresh insight into how specific patterns of blood sugar regulation may influence Alzheimer’s risk.
The researchers analyzed genetic and health data from over 350,000 UK Biobank participants aged 40 to 69. They focused on key measures of sugar regulation, including fasting glucose, insulin levels, and blood sugar two hours after meals. To assess potential causal relationships, the team used Mendelian randomization, a genetic method that helps determine whether a biological trait is likely to play a direct role in disease development.
The results were striking. Individuals with higher blood sugar levels after meals—known as postprandial hyperglycemia—were found to have a 69% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, this increased risk was not linked to overall brain shrinkage or white matter damage, suggesting that elevated post-meal glucose may impact the brain through subtler biological pathways that are not yet fully understood.
Published research like this opens the door to new approaches for reducing dementia risk, particularly in people with diabetes or those prone to high post-meal blood sugar. By paying closer attention to how our bodies respond to meals, we may find simple yet powerful ways to protect brain health over the long term.
REFERENCE: Andrew C. Mason, Nasri Fatih, Reecha Sofat, Christopher T. Rentsch, Liam Smeeth, Krishnan Bhaskaran, Nish Chaturvedi, Victoria Garfield. Disentangling the relationship between glucose, insulin and brain health: A UK Biobank study. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 2025; DOI: 10.1111/dom.70353
Speakers
Anshika Mishra is a dedicated scholar pursuing a Masters in Biotechnology, driven by a profound passion for exploring the intersection of science and healthcare. Having embarked on this academic journey with a passion to make meaningful contributions to the medical field, Anshika joined Medical Dialogues in 2023 to further delve into the realms of healthcare journalism.