A large study involving nearly 13,000 adults found that higher consumption of several common artificial sweeteners was associated with faster declines in memory and thinking skills over an eight-year period. Participants with the highest intake experienced cognitive decline comparable to approximately 1.6 additional years of brain aging, with the strongest associations observed in adults under 60 and people with diabetes. Researchers examined seven widely used sweeteners and found that six, including aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, sorbitol, and xylitol, were linked to faster declines in overall cognitive function, particularly memory. Tagatose was the only sweetener not associated with cognitive decline. The researchers emphasize that the findings show an association rather than a cause-and-effect relationship. More studies are needed to determine whether artificial sweeteners directly contribute to cognitive decline and to explore safer alternatives for long-term brain health.
