The headline and photo give the expectation that this is about sugary foods degrading our brains, but the story is actually quite different:

In a study with aging mice, Shi discovered significant changes in the sugary coating (glycocalyx) on cells that form the blood-brain barrier. This barrier protects the brain by filtering harmful substances and allowing essential nutrients in.

Shi compares the glycocalyx to a forest: in young, healthy brains, it’s lush and thriving, but in older brains, it becomes sparse and degraded.

These age-related changes weaken the blood-brain barrier, making it leaky. As a result, harmful molecules can enter the brain, potentially causing inflammation, cognitive decline, and neurodegenerative diseases.