Study reveals health dangers of artificial sweeteners

Six artificial sweeteners have been associated with causing faster cognitive decline, as discovered by a new study.

Researchers at the University of São Paulo in Brazil tracked the brain health of over 12,000 adults. They looked at seven common sweeteners used in products such as sugar-free soft drinks and yogurt: Acesulfame K, aspartame, erythritol, saccharin, sorbitol, tagatose and xylitol.

The study, which examined several brain function aspects including working memory to processing speed and verbal fluency, found that the overall thinking and memory ability of people who consumed sweeteners in the largest quantities declined 62% faster than the group who consumed the least.

Study Author Claudia Kimie Suemoto commented:

“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.”

Suemoto went on to suggest further investigations into the effectiveness of refined sugar alternatives which are not artificial sweeteners, such as organic maple syrup, honey, applesauce and coconut sugar.

The research was supported by several public bodies in Brazil, including the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation and the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

With its tropical climate, Brazil is not home to any maple trees, and has never been a producer of maple syrup. Maple syrup is considered a specialty in the country, and is exclusively imported and sold in supermarkets with an international product selection. However, Brazil is one of the biggest global producers of cane sugar, along with India, China, Thailand and Pakistan.