An eight-year long observational study found links between the consumption of artificial sweeteners and a significant decline in memory and cognitive skills for middle-aged adults
While many choose artificial sweetener options as a way to make a healthy choice, new research shows that sweetener alternatives may not be as healthy as advertised. In fact, these options may have unexpected consequences.
A study published in an issue of Neurology on Sept. 3, 2025, investigated the association between low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCSs) and cognitive decline.
The researchers conducted an observational study following the same group of participants over the course of eight years. Their findings suggest that the consumption of artificial LNCSs and sugar alcohols are associated with an accelerated rate of cognitive decline as they observed over the long-term study period.
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In a country where the average American eats 17 tablespoons of added sugar per day, per the American Heart Association, artificial sweetener options have its benefits. They have fewer calories, can lower the risk of tooth decay and cavities, and generally don’t raise blood sugar levels.
However, this new research pinpoints areas of concern if certain LNCSs are used regularly in large quantities over long periods of time.
The results of the study
The study observed over 12,500 Brazilian adults with an average age of 52 over the course of eight years, and the researchers measured the participants’ self-reported dietary intakes of seven different low- and no-calorie sweeteners.
Participants were given cognitive tests throughout the study to track and measure their memory, language, and thinking skills.
They found that the artificial sweetener tagatose was not associated with cognitive decline in participants. However, the other six sweeteners were linked with cognitive decline:
- Aspartame
- Saccharin
- Acesulfame-K
- Erythritol
- Sorbitol
- Xylitol
For the consumption of these six sweeteners, the decline was specifically linked to memory and verbal fluency domains. Also, they found that there was a faster decline in memory for participants with diabetes who consumed LNCSs.
According to the results, the impact of this decline was greater in those under the age of 60, and there were no significant associations for those ages 60 and up. This signals the importance of focusing on the types and amounts of sweeteners consumed earlier in life as they may have significant effects on memory later in life.
For the participants who were consuming greater amounts of the sweeteners, it was found that they had the faster decline in overall thinking and memory skills compared to those consuming the lowest amounts. For those consuming greater amounts, the decline equaled about 1.6 years of aging.
Co-author and associate professor of geriatrics at the University of Sao Paulo Dr. Claudia Suemoto told TODAY.com, “It is important to remember that cognitive performance peaks around the third decade of life, between 25 and 30 years old, and after that there is a very slow, gradual decline in function. What our study shows is that sweetener consumption may accelerate this natural process, even in middle-aged adults.”
Some limitations of this study
One area of concern for this study is that not all artificial sweeteners were included. Also, the results were self-reported by the participants, which may leave a margin of error for the accuracy of these results if some didn’t remember their dietary intake correctly on certain days.
In the press release for this study, Suemoto stated, “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.”
It’s also important to note that this study found links between LNCSs and cognitive declines; the study does not prove these artificial sweeteners cause the decline.
The International Sweeteners Association released a statement in regards to this study, saying, “This research is an observational study, which can only show a statistical association, not a direct cause-and-effect relationship.”
The association pointed out that global authorities have consistently confirmed the safety of LNCSs. “These organisations conduct comprehensive safety assessments based on the totality of scientific evidence, not just a single study,” the association states.
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