American explorers establishedthat the ancient instinct for food, fueled by the production of fructose in the brain, may be associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
The disease, which slowly destroys memory and consciousness, is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of proteins in the brain. This is probably a harmful evolutionary adaptation. Our ancestors used it when food was scarce.
“The basic principle of life is to provide enough food, water and oxygen for survival. Nature has developed a smart way to protect animals before a crisis occurs,” the study says.
When ancient people faced the threat of starvation, the survival reaction forced them to look for food. Making this process more effective requires focus, quick judgment, impulsiveness, and risk-taking behavior.
The necessary qualities were enhanced by blocking out everything that interfered, such as recent memories and attention to time. Fructose, a type of sugar, helped to relax individual brain centers, allowing more focus on gathering food.
The researchers noted that fructose reduces blood flow to the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for self-control, as well as to the hippocampus and thalamus. Most likely, over time, a chronic and persistent decrease in cerebral metabolism began to lead to progressive brain atrophy and loss of neurons.
Scientists suggest that the survival response that helped ancient people now leads to overeating of fatty, sweet and salty foods, causing excess production of fructose. It, in turn, causes Alzheimer’s disease.
