Diet Soft Drinks Linked to Accelerated Brain Aging, Memory Decline in New Study
PARIS – New research published in the journal Neuroscience suggests a link between high consumption of artificial sweeteners – commonly found in diet soft drinks and low-calorie foods – and accelerated brain aging, as well as a decline in cognitive function, notably among those under 60. The findings add to growing concerns about the long-term health effects of these widely-used sugar substitutes, coming on the heels of a World Health Organization (WHO) review that classified aspartame as “potentially carcinogenic to humans” in 2023.
The study, tracking participants over eight years, found individuals with the highest intake of artificial sweeteners experienced a 62% greater rate of brain aging compared to those with the lowest intake – equivalent to approximately 1.6 years of cognitive decline. A middle consumption group showed a 35% faster rate of decline, roughly 1.3 years of aging.This research underscores the potential risks associated with relying on artificial sweeteners as a long-term option to sugar, especially for individuals seeking to manage conditions like diabetes.
Researchers analyzed the consumption of several artificial sweeteners including aspartame, acesulfame-you, erythritol, xylitol, and sorbitol. Participants in the highest consumption group averaged 191 mg per day of these sweeteners,while the lowest group consumed an average of 20 mg per day. For context,191 mg of aspartame is roughly equivalent to consuming one box of a diet soft drink like Ghazi Diet daily. Sorbitol was the most frequently consumed sweetener, averaging 64 mg per day.
The study involved cognitive tests assessing working memory, word recall, and processing speed, administered at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the eight-year follow-up period. After accounting for factors like age and pre-existing health conditions, researchers observed a particularly pronounced effect on verbal fluency and general perception in volunteers under the age of 60 who consumed the largest quantities of artificial sweeteners. No meaningful link was found in participants over 60.
“Our results indicate the possibility of long-term damage as an inevitable result of the consumption of low-calorie sweeteners or free calories, especially low-calorie, or free calories and sugary alcohol, on cognitive function,” the scientists stated in their published article.
The WHO’s 2023 review determined aspartame posed a clear threat only to those consuming very large quantities, but this new research raises questions about the cumulative effects of long-term, moderate consumption of a range of artificial sweeteners on brain health. The findings are particularly relevant given the increasing prevalence of diet products and the widespread use of artificial sweeteners by individuals with diabetes and those attempting to reduce sugar intake.