Health: Artificial sweeteners may make our brains age faster.

Used as sugar substitutes in many low-fat products (sodas, yogurts, etc.), artificial sweeteners may not be such a healthy alternative. Some could have unexpected consequences on our long-term brain health, according to a study published September 3 in the journal Neurology .

To reach this conclusion, researchers from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, followed nearly 13,000 adults for eight years.

At the start of the study, participants completed dietary questionnaires, detailing what they had eaten and drunk over the past year.

The scientists then divided them into three groups based on the total amount of artificial sweeteners consumed. Seven commonly used sweeteners were studied (aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and tagatose).

Brain aging of 1.6 years in 8 years

Participants were given cognitive tests at the beginning, middle, and end of the study to track changes in their memory, language, and thinking skills.

It turns out that those who consumed the highest amount of sweeteners (e.g., one can of diet soda per day) showed a faster decline in their thinking and overall memory skills than those who consumed the lowest amount, with a 62% faster decline. " This corresponds to an accelerated brain aging of about 1.6 years over the 8 years of the study ," the authors note.

Although the study shows a correlation between sweetener consumption and cognitive decline, it is observational and does not strictly prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. While waiting for confirmation, the researchers point out that there are healthier alternatives to sugar than sweeteners, such as compotes, honey, or agave syrup.