Less sugar in early childhood associated with lower dementia risk

Published on

02/08/2026 - 9:19 GMT+2

The research suggests that reducing sugar intake during the earliest stages of life was associated with a lower risk of dementia, a later onset of the disease and better markers of brain health in later life.

“Limiting sugar during the earliest stages of life may have lasting benefits for brain health,” said study author Jiazhen Zheng, of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Guangzhou, China. “These results highlight the potential importance of early-life nutrition in reducing the risk of dementia decades later.”

Researchers analysed data from nearly 65,000 people born before and after World War II, when the British government introduced sugar rationing across the United Kingdom.