Low- and No-Calorie Artificial Sweeteners Intake Linked to Cognitive Decline

A Brazilian longitudinal cohort study suggested that consumption of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCSs) was associated with accelerated cognitive decline. A total of 12,772 civil servants (mean age 52 years, 55% women) were followed over three study waves across eight years. Using dietary questionnaires and cognitive testing, researchers found that younger participants (<60 years) consuming higher amounts of LNCSs had a faster decline in verbal fluency and global cognition, with artificial LNCSs (aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K) and sugar alcohols (erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol) particularly linked to declines in memory and verbal fluency. The associations were seen in both participants with and without diabetes, though patterns differed by subgroup. No associations were observed in participants aged 60+. The findings raised concerns about potential long-term effects of artificial sweeteners on brain health. Source: https://www.neurology.org/