A new study finds artificial sweeteners typically found in ultra-processed foods and drinks may be associated with a faster decline in overall thinking and memory skills – especially in people under 60 and those with diabetes.
Some popular sugar substitutes may affect more than your waistline or glucose level. A new study links high consumption of certain artificial sweeteners to faster cognitive decline.
Researchers in Brazil followed 12,772 adults, 35 and older, for an average of eight years. Participants were divided into groups based on their daily intake of seven common sweeteners:
· Aspartame
· Saccharin
· Acesulfame-K
· Erythritol
· Xylitol
· Sorbitol
· Tagatose
These are commonly used in products like diet soda, flavored water, energy drinks, yogurt and low-calorie desserts.
The results… people under 60 who consumed the highest total amounts… about 191 milligrams per day… experienced a 62% faster decline in thinking and memory skills.
That’s equivalent to 1.6 years of aging. The link was even stronger in people with diabetes. No association was found in those over 60.
When the researchers looked at each sweetener individually, they found all of them were tied to memory decline, except tagatose.
“Low- and no-calorie sweeteners are often seen as a healthy alternative to sugar. Our findings suggest some may have negative effects on brain health over time,” says Dr. Claudia Suemoto of the University of São Paulo.
The authors caution the study does not prove cause and effect. They say more research is needed to confirm these findings and to investigate if other refined sugar alternatives, such as applesauce, honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar, may be effective alternatives.
Statement received September 5, 2025 from the Calorie Control Council, an international association representing the low- and reduced-calorie food and beverage industry:
“Low/no-calorie sweeteners are among the most scrutinized ingredients and consistently have been confirmed as safe for decades by global health authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA),” said Carla Saunders, president, Calorie Control Council. “This study has notable limitations, including reliance on self-reported dietary data collected only at baseline. While the authors admit finding no causal evidence, it risks misleading the millions with diabetes who rely on low/no-calorie sweeteners as recommended by the American Diabetes Association and other global health experts.”
Source: Neurology
Author Affiliations: Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, UniversidadeFederaldoEspıritoSanto
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