A new study suggests that people who consume the highest amounts of artificial sweeteners may experience a significantly faster decline in memory and thinking skills, particularly adults under 60 and people with diabetes.
The findings, published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, indicate that high intake of artificial sweeteners is associated with cognitive decline equivalent to about 1.6 additional years of brain ageing.
Researchers followed 12,772 adults in Brazil for approximately eight years, examining their intake of seven common sweeteners found in diet drinks, sugar-free desserts, flavoured water, and tabletop sweeteners.
These included aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and tagatose. Six of the seven sweeteners were linked to faster cognitive decline, while tagatose was the only one not associated with worsening brain function.
Participants completed detailed dietary questionnaires and underwent repeated cognitive assessments measuring memory, verbal fluency, working memory, and processing speed.
After adjusting for factors such as age, sex, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, the researchers found that participants with the highest intake of artificial sweeteners experienced a 62% faster decline in overall cognitive function than those with the lowest intake.
The difference was comparable to about 1.6 additional years of brain ageing. Even those with moderate sweetener intake experienced a 35% faster cognitive decline, equivalent to roughly 1.3 extra years of brain ageing, compared with participants who consumed the least.
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The association was particularly strong among adults younger than 60, who experienced faster declines in overall cognition and verbal fluency. A stronger link was also observed among people with diabetes, who are more likely to rely on sugar substitutes to reduce their sugar intake.
When the researchers examined the sweeteners individually, aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, sorbitol, and xylitol were all associated with faster cognitive decline, particularly memory loss. Tagatose was the only sweetener that showed no significant association.
The researchers stressed that the study does not prove artificial sweeteners cause memory loss or accelerate brain ageing. Because it was observational, other factors, including overall diet, lifestyle, and underlying health conditions, may have contributed to the findings.
Even so, the results raise fresh questions about the long-term effects of sugar substitutes, which are widely marketed as healthier alternatives to sugar.
The researchers said more studies are needed to determine whether artificial sweeteners themselves contribute to cognitive decline or whether the observed link is driven by other health and lifestyle factors. Until then, they suggest moderation may be the most sensible approach to consuming sugar substitutes.
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