Artificial Sweeteners Could Speed Up Brain Aging by 1.6 Years: Study Finds
Consuming large amounts of artificial sweeteners may accelerate cognitive decline, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology. The research, which followed over 12,000 Brazilian adults for an average of eight years, found that those who consumed the highest amounts of low- and no-calorie sweeteners experienced a significantly faster decline in memory and thinking skills than those who consumed the least. The effect was particularly notable in individuals under 60 and those with diabetes.
Artificial sweeteners are commonly used in ultra-processed foods and beverages like diet sodas, flavored waters, energy drinks, yogurts, and low-calorie desserts. The study examined seven sweeteners: aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and tagatose. Researchers tracked the dietary habits of 12,772 participants with an average age of 52. Participants completed food frequency questionnaires and underwent cognitive testing at the start, midpoint, and end of the study.
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