Many individuals aiming to lose weight often opt to eliminate sugar and turn to artificial sweeteners. However, recent research has indicated that this substitution could negatively impact brain function, according to scientists.
A study tracking 12,772 adults over eight years found that those consuming higher levels of artificial sweeteners, equivalent to just one glass of diet soda daily, experienced a faster decline in memory and word recall abilities compared to those consuming lower amounts.
The research, based on data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health, categorized artificial sweetener intake into three levels, ranging from 20 milligrams per day in the lowest group to 191 milligrams in the highest group. The most common sweetener consumed was sorbitol at 64 milligrams per day.
Participants underwent cognitive tests three times during the study, including assessments of memory, verbal fluency, recall, and processing speed. Results showed that individuals in the highest consumption group aged cognitively faster by 1.6 years compared to those in the lowest group.
Lead study author Dr. Claudia Kimie Suemoto from the University of São Paulo’s Medical School in Brazil highlighted that individuals with the highest intake of low- or no-calorie sweeteners exhibited a 62% faster decline in cognitive function, equivalent to 1.6 years of brain aging, compared to those with the lowest intake. Similarly, those in the middle consumption tier showed a 35% faster decline in cognitive function.
The study pointed out that while six out of the seven artificial sweeteners studied were associated with cognitive decline, tagatose, a naturally occurring sugar in dairy and fruit, showed no clear effects. The report suggested that the impact of artificial sweeteners on cognitive function was more pronounced in individuals under 60 years old, particularly those with diabetes.
Dr. Suemoto emphasized the potential risks of artificial sweeteners on cognitive health, especially for individuals with diabetes, who often use these sweeteners as sugar substitutes. The researchers acknowledged the study’s limitations, including the lack of data on changes in sweetener intake over time and the absence of brain imaging to confirm mechanisms.
In conclusion, while the study raised concerns about the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners on cognitive function, it also highlighted the need for further research to determine causality. Experts in the field emphasized the importance of considering the broader scientific consensus on sweetener safety and the role of regulatory bodies in assessing the overall safety of approved sweeteners for public health.
