Artificial sweeteners linked to faster memory decline: Study

High consumption of low- and no-calorie sweeteners may accelerate brain aging, according to new research published in Neurology journal.

The study, titled “Association Between Consumption of Low- and No-Calorie Artificial Sweeteners and Cognitive Decline,” tracked more than 12,700 Brazilian adults over a decade as part of the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health. Participants were aged 35 and older at the start of the study.

Researchers reported that people under 60 who consumed higher amounts of artificial sweeteners including aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, and sorbitol experienced 62% faster decline in memory, verbal fluency, and overall cognitive performance compared with those who consumed little or none. The decline was equivalent to about 1.6 years of additional brain aging.

The effect was most seen in participants with diabetes, while no significant association was observed in those aged 60 or older. Tagatose was the only sweetener studied that showed no link to cognitive decline.

Researchers noted that while the findings show a strong association, further studies are needed to determine whether these sweeteners directly cause cognitive impairment.