School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
Nutrients. 2023 Dec 12;15(24):5080. doi: 10.3390/nu15245080.
Improper glycemic carbohydrates (GCs) consumption can be a potential risk factor for metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, which may lead to cognitive impairment. Although several potential mechanisms have been studied, the biological relationship between carbohydrate consumption and neurocognitive impairment is still uncertain. In this review, the main effects and mechanisms of GCs' digestive characteristics on cognitive functions are comprehensively elucidated. Additionally, healthier carbohydrate selection, a reliable research model, and future directions are discussed. Individuals in their early and late lives and patients with metabolic diseases are highly susceptible to dietary-induced cognitive impairment. It is well known that gut function is closely related to dietary patterns. Unhealthy carbohydrate diet-induced gut microenvironment disorders negatively impact cognitive functions through the gut-brain axis. Moreover, severe glycemic fluctuations, due to rapidly digestible carbohydrate consumption or metabolic diseases, can impair neurocognitive functions by disrupting glucose metabolism, dysregulating calcium homeostasis, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and accumulating advanced glycation end products. Unstable glycemic status can lead to more severe neurological impairment than persistent hyperglycemia. Slow-digested or resistant carbohydrates might contribute to better neurocognitive functions due to stable glycemic response and healthier gut functions than fully gelatinized starch and nutritive sugars.
不良的血糖碳水化合物（GCs）摄入可能是肥胖和糖尿病等代谢性疾病的潜在风险因素，这可能导致认知障碍。尽管已经研究了几种潜在的机制，但碳水化合物摄入与神经认知障碍之间的生物学关系仍不确定。在这篇综述中，全面阐述了 GCs 的消化特性对认知功能的主要影响和机制。此外，还讨论了更健康的碳水化合物选择、可靠的研究模型以及未来的方向。处于生命早期和晚期的个体以及患有代谢性疾病的患者极易受到饮食引起的认知障碍的影响。众所周知，肠道功能与饮食模式密切相关。不健康的碳水化合物饮食引起的肠道微环境紊乱通过肠道-大脑轴对认知功能产生负面影响。此外，由于快速消化的碳水化合物摄入或代谢疾病引起的严重血糖波动，通过破坏葡萄糖代谢、调节钙稳态、氧化应激、炎症反应和积累晚期糖基化终产物，可能会损害神经认知功能。不稳定的血糖状态可能比持续的高血糖导致更严重的神经损伤。与完全糊化的淀粉和营养糖相比，缓慢消化或抗消化的碳水化合物可能通过稳定的血糖反应和更健康的肠道功能对神经认知功能有更好的贡献。
