Consuming diet soda, even in moderate amounts, may be associated with a faster decline in cognitive function, according to a study of nearly 13,000 adults. Researchers found that individuals who consumed higher amounts of artificial sweeteners experienced a greater decline in thinking and memory skills.
The study, published in the journal Neurology, focused on the sweetener aspartame, which is commonly found in diet sodas and sugar-free products. Participants were divided into three groups based on their daily intake of various sweeteners, including aspartame, saccharin, and acesulfame K. The group consuming the highest amount of sweeteners, roughly equivalent to one can of diet soda per day, showed a 62% faster decline in cognitive skills compared to those consuming minimal amounts.
This group also exhibited an average of 1.6 extra years of cognitive aging. Individuals in a middle consumption group experienced a 35% faster decline and 1.3 extra years of cognitive aging. These findings indicate a potential link between artificial sweeteners and long-term brain health, raising concerns about the perception of these sweeteners as healthy alternatives to sugar.
Dr. Claudia Kimie Suemoto, a study author from the University of São Paulo in Brazil, noted that while low- and no-calorie sweeteners are often viewed as healthier options, the findings suggest potential negative effects on brain health. The research tracked participants for about eight years, with cognitive assessments measuring verbal skills, working memory, word recall, and processing speed.
Age and Health Factors
The study observed that age may influence the association. Among participants under 60, higher sweetener consumption was linked to quicker drops in verbal fluency and overall cognitive performance. However, this correlation was not observed in individuals over 60.
Diabetes was also identified as a factor associated with a faster cognitive decline. Researchers suggest this could be due to diabetes's potential to damage blood vessels in the brain. Tagatose was the only sweetener in the study that did not show an association with cognitive decline.
While the study found links between sweetener consumption and cognitive decline in middle-aged individuals, regardless of diabetes status, the researchers emphasize that further research is needed. They also suggest investigating whether other natural sugar alternatives could be more effective options.