A study published in Neurology in 2025 linked six widely used artificial sweeteners to accelerated brain aging, raising questions about their long-term safety. Researchers found that consumption of aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, and sorbitol was associated with declines in memory and cognitive function equivalent to 1.6 years of natural aging. The findings, published by the American Academy of Neurology, add to growing concerns about the potential health risks of sugar substitutes, which are commonly used by people managing diabetes or reducing calorie intake.
Claudia Suemoto, MD, PhD, senior author of the study and an assistant professor of geriatrics at the University of São Paulo Medical School, noted that the observed effects were based on observational data from nearly 3,000 participants over a decade, tracking both dietary habits and cognitive performance. The sweeteners examined include aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, and sorbitol, though the study did not address sucralose, stevia, or monk fruit.
Regulatory approval for these sweeteners has long been based on short-term safety assessments, not long-term neurological impacts. The FDA currently classifies aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, and sugar alcohols like erythritol as safe within specified limits. Suemoto’s work suggests that even moderate intake may contribute to brain aging over time, particularly in older adults.
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Unlike sugar, artificial sweeteners do not raise blood glucose levels, which is why they are recommended for people with diabetes. The 2025 study does not address whether sweetener consumption affects metabolic changes, gut microbiome disruption, or diabetes risk, but it aligns with earlier findings linking sweetener consumption to inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which can damage neural tissue.
Public reaction has been mixed. Some health experts argue the study’s observational nature means correlation does not equal causation.