Artificial sweeteners and memory loss: what the study found
Quick answer
Research published in Neurology followed 12,772 people for eight years and linked high artificial sweetener intake to a 62% faster rate of cognitive decline, roughly 1.6 years of brain ageing. The link was strongest in people under 60 and those with diabetes. The researchers did not prove that sweeteners cause the decline.
High consumption of artificial sweeteners is associated with a 62% faster rate of cognitive decline, equivalent to roughly 1.6 years of brain aging, particularly in individuals under 60 and those with diabetes. Research indicates that daily intake of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCs) like aspartame and saccharin may negatively impact memory, verbal fluency, and overall cognitive function.
Key Findings on Cognitive Decline
- Faster Brain Aging: A study published in Neurology tracked 12,772 people for eight years, finding that the highest consumers of artificial sweeteners experienced significantly faster cognitive decline.
- Impact on Under-60s: The link was most pronounced in adults under 60, suggesting that midlife dietary habits could have long-term consequences for brain health.
- Specific Sweeteners: Consuming aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-k, erythritol, sorbitol, and xylitol was associated with a faster decline in overall cognition, especially memory. Tagatose was not linked to cognitive decline in this research.
- Dose-Dependent: The study showed that even moderate, daily consumption (e.g., one diet soda/day) was linked to faster declines, with higher intake (around 191 mg/day) corresponding to a 62% faster rate of decline.
Potential Mechanisms
Researchers suggest several ways artificial sweeteners may impact cognitive health, though they did not definitively prove that sweeteners cause the decline:
- Neuroinflammation: Some studies suggest that certain sweeteners may trigger inflammation in the brain.
- Gut-Brain Axis Disruption: Sugar alcohols may alter gut microbes and, consequently, the gut-brain axis.
- Blood-Brain Barrier: Some artificial sweeteners might compromise the blood-brain barrier.
Common questions
Which artificial sweeteners were linked to faster memory decline?
The study linked aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-k, erythritol, sorbitol and xylitol to a faster decline in overall cognition, especially memory. Tagatose was not linked to cognitive decline in this research. These findings show an association, not a proven cause.
Can diet soda cause memory loss?
Diet soda has been linked to faster cognitive decline, but a cause has not been proven. Even moderate daily intake, such as one diet soda a day, was linked to faster decline, and higher intake (around 191 mg/day) matched a 62% faster rate. The researchers did not definitively prove that sweeteners cause the decline.
How might artificial sweeteners affect the brain?
Researchers suggest several possible routes. Some sweeteners may trigger inflammation in the brain, sugar alcohols may alter gut microbes and the gut-brain axis, and some may compromise the blood-brain barrier. These remain suggestions rather than proven causes.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for personal medical advice. Please speak to your GP (family doctor) or a qualified practitioner before making changes to medication or treatment.