Low- and no-calorie sweeteners, commonly found in yoghurts and fizzy drinks, may harm cognitive function, according to a new study. Researchers found that high consumption of sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin was associated with a 62% faster decline in thinking and memory skills, equivalent to 1.6 years of ageing.
The study, published in the journal Neurology, followed 12,772 civil servants in Brazil with an average age of 52 for eight years. Participants completed dietary questionnaires and underwent tests of verbal fluency and word recall. Those with the highest intake of sweeteners experienced accelerated cognitive decline, particularly in memory and verbal fluency.
The researchers noted that the trend was only observed in participants under 60, suggesting middle-aged adults should reduce sweetener consumption. They recommended using natural alternatives like tagatose, honey, or maple syrup instead.
Industry bodies questioned the findings, emphasising that the study could not prove causation. The British Soft Drinks Association highlighted that non-sugar sweeteners are deemed safe by global health authorities, while the International Sweeteners Association said there is an established scientific consensus on their safety.
