Artificial Sweeteners Linked to Faster Cognitive Decline in Brazil

Researchers at the University of São Paulo followed nearly 13,000 adults (average age 52) in Brazil for eight years to assess the impact of common artificial sweeteners on cognitive function. Participants reported their intake of seven sweeteners – aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame‑K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and tagatose – and underwent memory and verbal‑fluency tests at multiple intervals.

The study found that six sweeteners (all except tagatose) were associated with a significantly faster decline in overall mental performance. Individuals with the highest consumption experienced a 62 % faster decline, comparable to about 1.6 years of additional brain aging, while the middle‑consumption group showed a 35 % faster decline (≈1.3 years). The effect was strongest in participants under 60 and in those with diabetes. The authors stress that the findings are observational and do not prove causality, but they suggest that “people often view low‑ and no‑calorie sweeteners as healthier options … but our research suggests that some of these sweeteners could negatively impact brain health over time.”