Sweeteners Linked to Accelerated Cognitive Decline,Study Finds
Daily consumption of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (lncs) is associated with a faster rate of cognitive decline,including memory and verbal fluency,according to a new study published in the medical journal neurology. Researchers found the impact equivalent to ageing 1.6 years, raising concerns about the widespread use of these sugar substitutes.
The study, led by Claudia Kimie Suemoto of the University of São Paulo in Brazil, adds to a growing body of research questioning the long-term health effects of LNCs, often marketed as a healthier alternative to sugar. While the findings don’t establish a direct causal link, they highlight a potential risk, particularly for middle-aged adults, as the negative trend was observed in participants under the age of 60.The research examined the cognitive performance of individuals and thier consumption of LNCs found in a variety of products, including flavoured water, low-calorie desserts, and energy drinks.”Low and no-calorie sweeteners are frequently enough seen as a healthy alternative to sugar. However, our findings suggest certain sweeteners may have negative effects on brain health over time,” Suemoto said.
Industry bodies have disputed the study’s conclusions. Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, stated, “By the authors’ own admission, this study cannot prove cause.” He added that non-sugar sweeteners are “safe, according to all leading health authorities in the world” and have been used for decades in numerous products. The association also pointed to a reduction of “just under three-quarters of a billion kilograms of sugar” removed from UK products as 2015 through the use of sweeteners.The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) echoed this sentiment, asserting an “established scientific consensus” on the safety of sweeteners. In a statement, the ISA emphasized that the study was observational and could only demonstrate a statistical association, not a direct cause-and-affect relationship. “The reported link between sweetener consumption and cognitive decline does not prove that one causes the other,” they said.
