Consuming this as an afternoon snack can increase your chances of dementia

Our days become possible (and better!) With the help of healthy meals and snacks that keep us productive and keep us energized throughout the day. But according to a recent study, there is a certain type of food that you should be careful about.

The study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, found that foods high in refined carbohydrates can increase the risk of dementia, especially if consumed after lunch.

The researchers studied more than 2,000 people ages 65 and older who provided food questionnaires about their meals, snacks, activity levels, and calorie intake.

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According to BestLife: “The results showed no association between the total daily glycemic load or the glycemic load recorded at breakfast, lunch or dinner and the long-term increased risk of cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s at the end of a 12-year follow-up period. However, they found that there was an increased risk of dementia associated with consuming foods high in refined carbohydrates as a snack after afternoon lunch. “

Researchers suggest that snacking on things like sugary sodas, baked foods, and granola bars can lead to insulin resistance over time. This could then develop into diseases that have been linked to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. “Carbohydrates are seldom ingested alone during meals, and their rate of breakdown and absorption during digestion are altered by the other macronutrients,” the researchers found.

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The relationship between diet and dementia has long been of interest to researchers. Cecilia Samieri, PhD spoke to Healthline on the subject and went on to explain. “People with dementia tended to combine highly processed meat with starchy foods like potatoes, alcohol and snacks like cookies and cakes,” she said of another study she conducted.

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We tend to place more emphasis on our meals than on our snacks, eat balanced meals three times a day and snack on whatever is available in between. Experts propose a complex approach to solving this problem: plan your meals and snacks so that all elements complement each other.

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While this all sounds extremely complicated when we have to work and socialize, a good first step would be to avoid processed foods. Some good options for snacks are fruits, vegetables, grains, and other whole plant-based foods.