Drinking sugar substitutes? The common sweeteners linked to brain aging

A Brazilian study tracking approximately 13,000 adults over eight years found a link between consumption of six common sugar substitutes (aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, xylitol, and sorbitol) and accelerated decline in memory and thinking. Among heavy consumers, cognitive decline was about 63% faster. Researchers emphasize that no causal link has been proven.

A large-scale study conducted in Brazil and published in the journal Neurology found a link between high consumption of six common sugar substitutes and accelerated decline in memory and thinking functions. The study tracked approximately 13,000 adults over eight years. Among heavy consumers, cognitive decline was about 63% faster compared to low consumers, a gap estimated at an additional 1.6 years of cognitive aging. The sweeteners linked to the decline are aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, xylitol, and sorbitol. The association was more significant among participants under age 60 and among diabetics. Researchers emphasize that this is an observational study that does not prove a causal link, and that further research is needed.