New research that took place over eight years shows a link between the use of low and no-calorie artificial sweeteners (LNCS) and an accelerated rate of cognitive decline.
“Consumption of aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame k, erythritol, sorbitol, and xylitol was associated with a faster decline in global cognition, particularly in memory and verbal fluency domains,” the study states.
The study's definition of LCNS includes aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame k, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and tagatose. Sugar alcohols are naturally occurring compounds that metabolize differently than artificial sweeteners, according to New York-based nutritionist Nicolette Pace.
"The only one that stands out as somewhat less harmful is tagatose," Pace told NTD. "It’s a sugar alcohol derived from fructose that actually ferments in the gut and has some prebiotic benefits. Still, none of these are ideal."
The research further found that people without a diabetes diagnosis who consumed an LNCS combination experienced a faster decline in verbal fluency and global cognition, while participants who had diabetes saw a faster decline in memory and global cognition.
"They trick the brain and metabolism, raise the sweetness threshold, and disrupt natural appetite control," Pace said of sweeteners. "Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with small amounts of real sugar. These substitutes do far more harm than good."
The potential for sweetener abuse to allegedly alter normal metabolism further alarms Pace, who is concerned about "brain diabetes."
“These products don’t nourish the brain, they train it to crave more sugar and blunt normal satiety,” Pace added. “The long-term consequences for cognition and metabolism are very real."
Artificial sweeteners have been a controversial food product for years, according to registered dietitian Trista Best, who said she isn’t surprised by the study results.
“The primary concerns have been whether their calorie reduction in our foods is worth the potential side effects,” Best told NTD. “The known side effects range greatly from bloating to potentially being cancer promoting. Sucralose promotes gas and bloating because it causes gastrointestinal irritation.”