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Six common artificial sweeteners — including aspartame, saccharin, and erythritol — are linked to significantly faster cognitive decline, according to a new study of nearly 13,000 adults. High consumers saw a 62% faster drop in memory and thinking skills, equivalent to about 1.6 extra years of brain aging. The effect was strongest in adults under 60 and those with diabetes.
That "healthier" sugar swap might not be so kind to your brain. A large study published in Neurology tracked nearly 13,000 Brazilian adults over eight years and found that those consuming the most low- and no-calorie sweeteners experienced dramatically faster declines in memory and thinking skills compared to those consuming the least. Six of the seven sweeteners studied — aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, sorbitol, and xylitol — were tied to faster cognitive decline. Tagatose was the only one with no observed association.
The findings were especially notable in adults under 60 and in people with diabetes — a group that frequently relies on sugar substitutes to manage blood sugar. Researchers were careful to note this is an observational study, meaning causation hasn't been proven, and other lifestyle factors could play a role.
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Why it matters: Millions of people use artificial sweeteners daily, often believing they're making a healthier choice. These findings raise important questions about long-term brain health, particularly for middle-aged adults and those with diabetes — groups that may be most vulnerable.
