Six popular sugar substitutes linked to faster brain aging

A study of nearly 13,000 adults found that people consuming the most artificial sweeteners experienced a 62% faster decline in memory and thinking skills, equivalent to approximately 1.6 additional years of brain aging. Six popular sweeteners were linked to faster cognitive decline, raising concerns about the long-term brain health effects of common sugar substitutes, although causation was not established. Sugar substitutes are often promoted as a healthier way to enjoy sweet foods and drinks without consuming as much sugar. However, new research suggests that some of these widely used sweeteners may have an unexpected downside for long-term brain health. A study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found that people who consumed the most low- and no-calorie sweeteners experienced significantly faster declines in memory and thinking skills than those who consumed the least.

The association was particularly pronounced among people with diabetes. Researchers examined seven sweeteners commonly used in foods and beverages: aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and tagatose. These ingredients frequently appear in ultra-processed products, including diet sodas, flavored waters, energy drinks, yogurt and low-calorie desserts. Some are also sold separately for sweetening foods and beverages. "Low- and no-calorie sweeteners are often seen as a healthy