Are artificial sweeteners secretly harming your brain?

ISLAMABAD: Artificial sweeteners are often used in place of sugar to avoid weight gain or manage health conditions. But new research warns that excessive use of these sugar substitutes could negatively affect mental health.

The study, published on a medical research website, examined the effects of seven common artificial sweeteners:

• Aspartame

• Saccharin

• Acesulfame-K

• Erythritol

• Xylitol

• Sorbitol

• Tagatose

Researchers analyzed data from 12,772 adults, with an average age of 52, who were monitored for nearly eight years. Participants were divided into three groups:

• Low users (average daily intake: 20 mg)

• Medium users

• High users (average daily intake: 191 mg)

Impact on mental health

Results showed that people who regularly consumed higher amounts of artificial sweeteners experienced a faster decline in memory and thinking abilities. The effect was found to be particularly strong among diabetic patients, raising concerns for those who rely on sweeteners as part of dietary management.

Health experts caution that while the study highlights a strong link, it does not prove direct causation. More research is needed to fully understand how sweeteners may influence brain health.

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Still, researchers emphasize that limiting consumption could be beneficial. “Excessive use of artificial sweeteners can be dangerous for mental health, especially for people with diabetes,” the report noted.