Study Links Artificial Sweeteners to Faster Brain Aging

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A major new study suggests artificial sweeteners may be linked to accelerated brain aging. Published Wednesday in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, the research found that people who consumed the highest levels of artificial sweeteners experienced faster declines in memory and word recall compared to those with the lowest intake.

Lead author Dr. Claudia Kimie Suemoto, associate professor of geriatrics at the University of São Paulo, said those with the highest consumption showed a 62 percent faster rate of global cognitive decline. That’s equal to about 1.6 years of additional brain aging. Even moderate intake—roughly 66 milligrams daily—was associated with 1.3 years of aging.

To put the findings into perspective, one can of diet soda contains between 200 and 300 milligrams of aspartame, according to the World Health Organization.

The study followed nearly 13,000 Brazilians between ages 35 and 75 over eight years, measuring their diets and administering repeated cognitive tests. Researchers found the negative effects were especially pronounced in participants under age 60, as well as in people with diabetes, who already face a higher risk for cognitive decline.

Not all sweeteners were linked to the same effects. Tagatose, a rare sugar, showed no connection to cognitive decline, but commonly used substitutes such as aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, and sorbitol were associated with memory and verbal fluency loss.

Experts caution the study is observational and does not prove causation, but they say the results raise serious questions about long-term use of low- and no-calorie sweeteners. Dr. Stanley Hazen of the Cleveland Clinic, who has studied sugar alcohols, called the findings “intriguing and concerning,” adding that the evidence adds to growing concerns over the safety of these products.

Researchers say more studies are needed to confirm the link and to explore whether natural alternatives like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar may be safer options.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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