- A diet heavy in seven common sugar substitutes has been linked to faster cognitive decline, affecting thinking and memory skills.
- Individuals consuming over 190 milligrams of these sweeteners daily experienced a 62 per cent faster decline, equivalent to about 18 months of ageing, particularly in those under 60 and diabetics.
- The sweeteners, including aspartame, saccharin, and xylitol, are commonly found in ultraprocessed foods such as diet sodas, protein bars, and low-calorie desserts.
- Dr Claudia Kimie Suemoto from the University of São Paulo, whose team conducted the Brazilian study, stated that while often seen as healthy alternatives to sugar, these sweeteners may negatively impact brain health.
- Researchers caution that the findings do not definitively prove causation, highlighting the need for further studies to confirm the link and explore other refined sugar alternatives.
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