Popular sugar substitutes linked to faster brain aging
A study published in the journal Neurology suggests a potential link between the consumption of common sugar substitutes and accelerated cognitive decline. While the research shows an association rather than direct causation, it highlights potential risks for brain health.
Why it matters
With the widespread use of artificial sweeteners in processed foods, these findings could influence public health guidelines and consumer choices regarding diet.
Several widely used sugar substitutes may be associated with faster declines in memory and thinking skills over time, according to research published in Neurology , the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
The study followed nearly 13,000 adults and examined seven sweeteners that contain little or no calories. People who consumed the largest total amounts showed a more rapid decline in cognitive abilities than those who consumed the smallest amounts. The association was especially strong among people with diabetes.
The results do not show that sweeteners directly cause cognitive decline. They reveal an association, meaning other factors could help explain the pattern.
Researchers studied aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and tagatose.
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