Diet Soda can harm cognitive health, new Brazilian research reveals

Your favorite food soda could have a harmful effect on your cognitive health, suggests a new study.

In a Brazilian study published in the Revue Neurology, participants who consumed the greatest amount of artificial sweeteners have proven to have “much faster decreases” in the skills of thought and memory.

The researchers determined that the most consumer group lost approximately 1.6 years in additional brain aging, with a faster drop of 62%.

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The most risky groups were younger adults under the age of 60 and people with diabetes. People over the age of 60 do not seem to be affected.

In the study, researchers followed 12,772 adults with an average of 52 years for a period of eight years. The participants fulfilled questionnaires on what they ate and drank.

In a Brazilian study published in the Revue Neurology, participants who consumed the greatest amount of artificial sweeteners have proven to have “much faster decreases” in the skills of thought and memory. (istock)

Researchers focused on the consumption of seven artificial sweeteners found in soda, energy drinks, flavored water, yogurt and low -calorie desserts.

The specific sweeteners included in the study were aspartame, saccharin, aceulfame-k, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and tagatosis, according to the press release from the study.

Among those who consumed sweeteners, the highest group had an average of 191 milligrams per day, while the lowest group consumed on average 20 milligrams.

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The groups also carried out cognitive tests at different times in the study to assess memory, language and skills of reflection.

All sweeteners with the exception of tagatosis were associated with a faster drop in cognition, especially memory, revealed the researchers.

The specific sweeteners included in the study were aspartame, saccharin, aceulfame-k, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and tagatosis. (istock)

“People often believe that artificial sweeteners are a safer alternative to sugar, but our results suggest that they may not be harmless, especially when they are consumed frequently and from the forties,” Fox News Digital, the author of the Claudia Kimie Suemoto study of São Paulo in Brazil.

“Although more research is necessary, our results highlight the importance of looking carefully at what we use to replace sugar in our diet. The best message for the public is to reduce both added sugars and artificial sweeteners, and as far as possible, choose natural options and focus on a balanced diet rich in whole food.”

“Our results suggest that exposure to quarantine to sweeteners can be particularly harmful.”

The researchers expected the association to be more obvious in the elderly, as they are more at risk of dementia and cognitive disorders.

“Instead, our results suggest that exposure to quarantine to sweeteners can be particularly harmful, which is important because the forties is a critical period to establish the trajectory of brain health,” said Suemoto.

The most risky groups were younger adults under the age of 60 and people with diabetes. People over the age of 60 do not seem to be affected. (istock)

“We think that cognitive decline and dementia are starting to develop decades before symptoms become perceptible, so that exposure in the middle of life can accelerate these processes and have long -term consequences.”

Based on these results, researchers recommend that the safest approach is to reduce the consumption of artificial sweeteners as much as possible, which makes them ideally.

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“Instead of relying on artificial sweeteners, people can try other ways to add flavor and sweetness, such as the use of fruit, honey or maple in moderation,” said Suemoto. “This not only avoids the potential risks we have observed, but also encourages a more natural and balanced diet.”

Dr. Brintha Vasagar, a family doctor based in Milwaukee, was not involved in the study but shared his reaction to the results.

Instead of soda, experts recommend opting for water, which can be infused with cucumber, mint or fruit for more flavor. (istock)

“For some people, the advantage of avoiding sugars in the diet will prevail over the risks of artificial sugars, and your family medicine doctor can help you determine what suits you best,” she told Fox News Digital.

“For most people, however, natural sugars are the safest option. Artificial sugars can change your perception of sweet, leading you to consume more sugars to feel the same satisfaction.”

“Although there is a link between artificial sweeteners and brain health, we have no data that shows causality.”

Most experts recommend consuming less than one serving per day, ideally for a short time, or only once every a few weeks, she said.

Instead of food soda, Vasagar recommends opting for water, which can be infused with cucumber, mint or fruit for more flavor.

“Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and cheese are all healthy options for snacks without added sugars,” she said.

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For those who suffer from diabetes and use artificial sweeteners, she recommends seeing a doctor to get help to create an individual plan.

“Some artificial sweeteners can actually increase blood sugar,” she said. “In general, even people with diabetes should aim for moderation to use artificial sweeteners.”

Additional limitations and research

The study had several limits, recognized the researchers.

“The food assessment has only been done at the basis of the study,” Suemoto told Fox News Digital. “We have adjusted statistical analyzes for several factors, but residual confusion can still be present, which is common when we try to control other eating and health problems.”

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The study also did not include all artificial sweeteners, and self -depressed food data may have been limited by the ability of participants to recall exactly what they have consumed.

Additional research is necessary in other groups and using other tools, said Suemoto, such as neuroimaging to see if specific brain lesions are linked to sweetening use.

The researchers expected the association to be more obvious in the elderly, as they are more at risk of dementia and cognitive disorders. (istock)

Vasagar has agreed that more studies are essential to determine whether artificial sugars are the cause of dementia and memory loss.

“It is important to note that although there is a link between artificial sweeteners and brain health, we have no data that show causality,” she reiterated.

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The Calorie Control Council provided the statement below to Fox News Digital.

“Weak / calories without sweeteners are among the most examined ingredients and have always been confirmed as security for decades by the world health authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration of the United States and the European Food Safety Authy,” said Carla Saunders, president of the CCC.

The researchers determined that the most consumer group lost approximately 1.6 years in additional brain aging, with a faster drop of 62%. (istock)

“This study has notable limits, in particular dependence on self -deprecated food data collected only at the start. Although the authors admit that they can find no causal evidence, this may deceive the millions of diabetes which are counting on low / unlimited sweeteners as recommended by the American Diabetes Association and other global health experts.”

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The study was supported by the Brazilian Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Sciences, Technology and Innovation; and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development.