A large Brazilian study found higher intake of several artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols was associated with steeper declines in memory, attention and verbal fluency, especially among adults under 60 and people with diabetes.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A large Brazilian study is raising new questions about the long-term effects of common low-calorie sweeteners after researchers found higher consumption was associated with faster cognitive decline.
The study followed 12,772 adults for up to 11 years and used dietary surveys and cognitive testing to examine whether sweetener intake was linked to changes in brain function over time. The findings, published in Neurology, found that heavy consumption of several common sweeteners was associated with a 62% faster decline in cognitive performance.
Researchers reported that participants with the highest intake experienced cognitive aging equivalent to about 1.6 additional years of decline. The effects were seen in areas including memory, attention and verbal fluency.
The study examined seven sweeteners. Six were linked to faster cognitive decline: aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame potassium, erythritol, xylitol and sorbitol. Tagatose did not show a statistically significant association in the analysis.
The findings add to broader concerns about products marketed as “zero sugar” or low-calorie alternatives. For years, artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols have been promoted as tools for reducing sugar intake and managing calories. The Brazilian study suggests some of those substitutes may carry risks that are not reflected on front-of-package labels.
Aspartame, commonly used in diet sodas and sugar-free products, was associated with faster decline in global cognition, memory and verbal fluency. Aspartame is made from phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol. The submitted report noted that methanol can convert in the body to formaldehyde, a neurotoxin, and that prior user reports have included headaches, dizziness and confusion after consuming diet soda.
Saccharin, one of the oldest artificial sweeteners, was also associated with faster global cognitive decline. The submitted report noted that saccharin was linked to bladder cancer in rats in the 1970s, though it remained on the market. Researchers have raised questions about whether saccharin may affect the gut microbiome, which plays a role in inflammation and brain health.
Acesulfame potassium, often listed as acesulfame-K, is frequently combined with aspartame to produce a stronger sweet taste. The study linked acesulfame-K to faster decline in memory and verbal fluency. The submitted report noted that it is often found in sugar-free chewing gum, protein powders and flavored yogurts.
Erythritol, a sugar alcohol often marketed as a more natural sweetener because it occurs in small amounts in fruit, was associated with faster cognitive decline among heavy users. Sugar alcohols are not fully absorbed in the digestive system and can reach the colon, where they may contribute to gastrointestinal distress and inflammation.
Xylitol, another sugar alcohol found in chewing gum, mints and toothpaste, was also linked to faster decline in thinking skills. The submitted report noted that xylitol can disrupt gut health and has been linked in other research to increased blood clot formation, which could affect blood flow to the brain.
Sorbitol, used in some sugar-free candies and diabetic foods, was also associated with faster cognitive decline. Like other sugar alcohols, it is poorly absorbed in the small intestine and ferments in the colon, which may contribute to digestive and inflammatory effects.
The study found the association was strongest among adults under 60. That finding challenges the assumption that only older adults face meaningful cognitive vulnerability and suggests younger adults may also be sensitive to frequent exposure to certain sweeteners.
People with diabetes also showed faster decline in memory and global cognition when they consumed high levels of the sweeteners. That finding is especially notable because many people with diabetes are encouraged to use sugar substitutes to reduce sugar intake.
The study does not prove that the sweeteners directly caused cognitive decline. It does, however, identify a significant association between high intake and steeper losses in several areas of cognitive function.
The findings are likely to add scrutiny to low-calorie sweeteners used in diet drinks, sugar-free snacks, protein products, diabetic foods and other processed items. Researchers and health experts have increasingly examined whether the metabolic effects of these products extend beyond calorie reduction.
The study’s findings suggest consumers may need to look more closely at ingredient labels, particularly when using multiple products that contain artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols every day.
The research also underscores a broader nutrition concern: replacing sugar with chemical sweeteners may not automatically make a product healthy. While reducing added sugar remains an important goal, the study suggests that frequent use of some substitutes may introduce different health questions, including possible effects on long-term cognitive function.
Source: Natural News
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