
20/09/2025
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🚨 Your "sugar-free" choices may be harming your brain.
New research reveals a 62% faster decline in memory and thinking linked to common artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin.
A new study published in Neurology has raised fresh concerns about the long-term cognitive effects of artificial sweeteners.
Tracking over 12,000 Brazilian adults for an average of eight years, researchers found that individuals who consumed the most sugar substitutes—including aspartame, saccharin, and xylitol—experienced a 62% faster decline in memory and thinking skills compared to those who consumed the least.
Alarmingly, the fastest rates of decline were seen in participants under 60 and those with diabetes, suggesting that midlife may be a particularly vulnerable period for brain health when it comes to sweetener exposure.
While the study did not establish a direct cause, the strong association points to potential risks of frequent artificial sweetener use—especially in sugar-free processed foods. Experts urge caution and suggest focusing on whole foods and reducing reliance on artificially sweetened products. As the science continues to evolve, these findings highlight a need for greater awareness about how everyday dietary choices may impact brain function over time.
Source: Suemoto, C. K., et al. (2024). Artificial sweetener consumption and cognitive decline: A cohort study. Neurology, American Academy of Neurology.