High Intake of Artificial Sweeteners Linked to Faster Cognitive Decline, Study Suggests
A new study published in Neurology suggests that consuming high amounts of low- and no-calorie sweeteners may be associated with accelerated cognitive decline. Researchers observed a difference in brain aging between high and low consumers.
Consuming high amounts of artificial sweeteners may be linked to a faster rate of cognitive decline, according to a study published last month in the journal Neurology. Researchers tracked nearly 13,000 adults in Brazil over approximately eight years to assess the impact of low- and no-calorie sweeteners on cognition.
The study found a significant difference in brain aging between participants who consumed the most and least amounts of sweeteners. Those with the highest intake showed a faster decline in global cognition, particularly in memory and verbal fluency, compared to those with the lowest intake. The observed gap in brain aging was approximately 1.6 years.
Researchers noted that various sweeteners, including aspartame, saccharin, and acesulfame K, were associated with this accelerated decline. The link was observed for both individuals with and without diabetes, although the specific patterns of decline varied between these groups.
Participants consumed an average of about 92 milligrams of artificial sweeteners daily, with some consuming nearly double that amount. For context, a 12-ounce can of some popular diet sodas can contain up to 200 milligrams of sweeteners.
However, the study's authors caution that the findings are based on an observational study, meaning a direct causal link cannot be definitively established. They also emphasized that occasional consumption is unlikely to be harmful. The researchers suggest that frequent, long-term consumption warrants further investigation and recommend considering alternatives like water or unsweetened beverages.