From Fox News: Your favorite diet soda could have a detrimental effect on your cognitive health, a new study suggests.
In a Brazilian study published in the journal Neurology, participants who consumed the highest amount of artificial sweeteners were found to have “significantly faster declines” in thinking and memory skills.
Researchers determined that the highest-consuming group lost about 1.6 years in extra brain aging, with a 62% faster decline.
The groups at highest risk were younger adults under 60 and people with diabetes. Those older than 60 did not appear to be affected.
In the study, researchers tracked 12,772 adults averaging 52 years old for an eight-year period. The participants filled out questionnaires about what they ate and drank.
The researchers focused on the following artificial sweeteners: aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and tagatose.
The results: All of the sweeteners except tagatose were found to be linked to faster cognitive and memory decline, although they could not prove that the sweeteners CAUSED the decline.
More from the American Academy of Neurology:
Highlights:
• The study followed 12,772 adults with an average age of 52
• Researchers tracked seven artificial sweeteners typically found in ultra-processed foods like flavored water, soda, energy drinks, yogurt and low-calorie desserts
• People who consumed the highest total amounts of these sweeteners had faster decline in overall thinking and memory skills compared to people who consumed the lowest amounts
• The faster decline equaled about 1.6 years of aging
• Researchers found a link in people under 60 but not older than 60
• While the study found links, it does not prove that sweeteners cause cognitive decline
New Study Published in @GreenJournal: Some sugar substitutes linked to faster cognitive decline. https://t.co/XcZJVtIGHC#AANscience #BrainHealth pic.twitter.com/FWCdtJg0es
— American Academy of Neurology (@AANmember) September 4, 2025
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