Association between consumption of low- and no-calorie artificial sweeteners and cognitive decline: An 8-Year prospective study

This longitudinal observational study examines the association between the consumption of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCSs) and cognitive decline, utilizing data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health. A total of 12,772 civil servants aged 35 and older were analyzed over three waves of data collection (2008–2019). The study found that the mean consumption of LNCSs was 92.1 ± 90.1 mg/d. Notably, among participants under 60 years, those in the highest tertile of LNCS consumption exhibited a significantly accelerated decline in verbal fluency (β = −0.040, 95% CI −0.064 to −0.016) and global cognition (β = −0.024, 95% CI −0.040 to −0.008). Conversely, no such associations were observed in individuals aged 60 and older. Specific LNCSs, including aspartame and saccharin, were linked to declines in memory and verbal fluency. The findings suggest that LNCS consumption may pose long-term cognitive risks, particularly in younger adults and those with diabetes, highlighting the need for further research to understand the implications of LNCS intake on cognitive health. [NPID: Low-calorie sweeteners, no-calorie sweeteners, cognitive decline, verbal fluency]

Year: 2025

Reference: Gonçalves, N. G., Martinez-Steele, E., Lotufo, P. A., Bensenor, I., Goulart, A. C., Barreto, S. M., Giatti, L., de Faria, C. P., Molina, M. D. C. B., Caramelli, P., Marchioni, D. M., & Suemoto, C. K. (2025). Association Between Consumption of Low- and No-Calorie Artificial Sweeteners and Cognitive Decline: An 8-Year Prospective Study. Neurology, 105(7), e214023. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000214023

Related Studies

Markers of a plant-based diet relate to memory and executive function in older adults

Despite published evidence pointing to the health benefits of a plant-based diet, the level of evidence investigating the links between cognitive health and plant-based food remains insufficient. Recent publications postulate the impact of certain macronutrients on overall cognition, however, the mechanisms behind the interaction between plant-based foods and cognitive domains are not clear. In this […]

Benefits of wasabi supplements with 6-MSITC (6-Methylsulfinyl Hexyl Isothiocyanate) on memory functioning in healthy adults aged 60 years and older: Evidence from a double-blinded randomized controlled trial

Aging causes a reduction in cognitive abilities. Reduced cognitive abilities harm day-to-day activities. Earlier studies have illustrated the beneficial effects of herbs and spices on cognition. Nouchi et al. (2023) looked at the beneficial effects of wasabi, a Japanese traditional spice, on cognitive processes in their double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT). 6-MSITC, or 6-methylsulfonyl hexyl […]