As we all know, an uncontrolled diet high in sugars and fats can have noticeable effects on weight, provide insufficient nutrients for the body, and increase the risk of diabetes. However, few people realize that rising glucose levels in the body may also affect the function of vital organs, such as the 
pancreas and, especially, the brain.
Approximately 120 grams of glucose are needed by the brain in a single day, most of which is generated via gluconeogenesis from non-sugar molecules within the body. Although glucose is a necessary component for the normal functioning of the brain, it has also been proven that an excess could cause damage to the brain itself and decrease cognitive decline. According to a study conducted by Dr. Scott A. Small, associate professor of neurology in the Sergievsky Center and in the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University Medical Center, glucose specifically targets the dentate gyrus within the hippocampus, decreasing activity in that region of the brain. Because high blood glucose levels damage the part of the brain that controls memory and learning, which suggests that it may play a major role in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Since the brain is constantly firing neurons, it requires about two times more glucose than other cells within the body. However, neurons cannot store glucose, so they depend on the bloodstream to deliver a constant supply glucose to fuel the brain. Because of this, physical exercise, which helps reduce blood glucose level, can help to lower glucose levels in the dentate gyrus and enhance cognitive function. Once again, it seems pretty obvious that exercise plays a huge role in the process of aging—physically and mentally.
Resources:
1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/30/AR2008123000993.html
2. http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/news/press_releases/081230_Aging.html
3. http://brainfuels.com/2010/03/toxic-glycolysis-and-brain-aging/
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