Low-calorie sweeteners and other sugar substitutes have been around since the early 1900s, when saccharin, the first artificial sweetener, was sold. Ever since the 1970s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six sugar substitutes as food additives, which are saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, xylitol, erythritol, and stevia. Previous research has shown that there are benefits to using sugar substitutes, such as a reduced blood sugar spike for those with diabetes and protecting the teeth from cavities, as well as other tooth decay.
However, many studies have also shown that there are many negatives to sugar substitutes, including multiple health risks including a harmful impact on the gut microbiome. Additionally, low-calorie sweeteners are also linked with a wide variety of health conditions, including heart attacks, stroke, metabolic syndrome, obesity, migraines, and even cancer. A new study that has been recently published suggests that there is evidence to show a correlation between using sugar substitutes and cognitive decline.
The results of the study showed that the participants who consumed the largest amount of sugar substitutes, 191 mg/day, had a 62% faster decline in their overall thinking and memory skills, compared to those who had the least amount of sugar substitutes, 20 mg/day. This decline means that the risk of impairment at an early age is higher. The study had a time frame of 8 years, where participants were tracked, with the group that consumed the largest amount of sugar substitutes showing signs of what would be expected after an additional 1.6 years of aging.
Researchers also found that in the participant group that consumed the highest amount of sugar substitutes, the cognitive decline was highest among those who were under 60 and had diabetes. This was a surprising finding for the researchers, as they expected those over 60 to be the ones to have the largest cognitive decline, as they would be the most at risk for cognitive decline and dementia. Cognitive decline and dementia are symptoms that are believed to develop years before they become noticeable, and that midlife exposures to sweeteners may accelerate that process.
The findings from the study show that high consumption of sugar substitutes can lead to accelerated cognitive decline and increased risks of early impairment, but more research is needed in this area. It is important to note that the study presents a possible link, not a definitive cause of cognitive decline due to sugar substitutes. More research is needed on this topic, but the early results show that excess consumption of sugar substitutes can lead to a faster cognitive decline.
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