There’s one common habit in particular that brain health experts we talked to said could be increasing one’s dementia risk without them even realizing it. If it’s something sugary, you could be increasing your risk of dementia. Julie Andrews, a registered dietitian specializing in the MIND diet (an eating plan created to lower dementia risk) and the author of “The MIND Diet Plan and Cookbook,” shared that one reason for the link between a high-sugar diet and dementia risk is that sugary foods spike blood sugar levels. “Unstable or high blood sugar may contribute to damaging blood vessels, including the tiny ones that feed the brain. Here’s the biggest takeaway all four experts want people to know: Having a diet high in sugar increases the risk of dementia.

Source: Huffington Post January 25, 2026 17:14 UTC