Researchers followed 12,772 adults in Brazil for approximately eight years to investigate whether the consumption of artificial sweeteners was associated with changes in memory and cognitive function.
Participants completed several cognitive tests throughout the study period, according to ScienceDaily, which reported on the study published in the journal Neurology.
The study included aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and tagatose.
These sweeteners are commonly found in low-calorie products, soft drinks, energy drinks, yogurt, and other ultra-processed foods.
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Differences between groups
The researchers found the strongest association among people under the age of 60 and individuals with diabetes.
The same association was not observed in participants aged 60 and older.
Tagatose was the only sweetener included in the study that was not associated with changes in cognitive test results.
The researchers also adjusted their analyses for factors including age, sex, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.
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The results should be interpreted with caution
Participants with the highest overall intake of artificial sweeteners experienced a faster decline in memory and cognitive function than those with the lowest intake.
According to the researchers, the difference was equivalent to approximately 1.6 additional years of cognitive aging.
However, the researchers emphasize that the study shows only an association and does not prove that artificial sweeteners are the cause of the decline.
They also note that the dietary data were based on participants' self-reported assessments and that further research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
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Review of the study
According to the International Sweeteners Association (ISA), the study in question does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between sweetener consumption and cognitive decline, as it is merely an observational study.
The organization criticizes the study's methodology, pointing out that the research relies on single, eight-year-old self-reported data and incorrectly lumps together vastly different types of sweeteners - which the ISA argues can lead to misleading results.
Furthermore, they emphasize that the study was plagued by serious statistical errors requiring extensive post-publication corrections, and that its conclusions lack biological plausibility due to inconsistent results across different age groups.
Consequently, the ISA maintains its stance that low/no calorie sweeteners, backed by global health authorities like EFSA and the WHO, remain completely safe and serve as an effective tool for reducing sugar and calorie intake.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.