Full Breakdown
Higher Intake of Low-Calorie Sweeteners Linked to Faster Cognitive Decline in Brazilian Adults
7/19/2026, 1:18:43 AM
Study Overview and Main Findings
A longitudinal study published in *Neurology* tracked 12,772 Brazilian adults (average age 52) for roughly eight years. Participants were grouped by total consumption of seven low- or no-calorie sweeteners—aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and tagatose. Those in the highest intake bracket (average 191 mg/day) experienced a 62 % faster decline in overall thinking and memory abilities than the lowest bracket (average 20 mg/day), a difference the researchers equated to about 1.6 additional years of aging. The middle-consumption group showed a 35 % faster decline (?1.3 years of aging). The association was strongest among participants younger than 60 and among individuals with diabetes; no significant link was observed in participants older than 60. Six sweeteners—aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, sorbitol and xylitol—were each associated with faster cognitive decline, while tagatose showed no such link.
Methodology and Participant Details
At baseline, participants completed detailed food questionnaires covering the prior year, reporting intake of the targeted sweeteners. Cognitive performance was assessed three times using tests of verbal fluency, working memory, word recall and processing speed. Analyses adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and other relevant factors.
Official Commentary from Lead Researcher
"Low- and no-calorie sweeteners are often seen as a healthy alternative to sugar, however our findings suggest certain sweeteners may have negative effects on brain health over time," — Claudia Kimie Suemoto, MD, PhD, University of São Paulo.
"While we found links to cognitive decline for middle-aged people both with and without diabetes, people with diabetes are more likely to use artificial sweeteners as sugar substitutes," — Suemoto.
"More research is needed to confirm our findings and to investigate if other refined sugar alternatives, such as applesauce, honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar, may be effective alternatives," — Suemoto.
Limitations and Criticisms
The study is observational and relies on self-reported dietary data, which may be subject to recall error. It did not evaluate every artificial sweetener on the market, limiting the generalizability of the results. Consequently, the authors caution that the observed association does not prove causation.
Implications
If the association holds in further research, frequent consumption of common low-calorie sweeteners could contribute to earlier cognitive aging, especially in younger adults and those with diabetes. Health agencies and consumers may need to reassess the perceived safety of these substitutes pending additional evidence.
