DIET SODA DANGERS: Common additives like artificial sweetener aspartame damage cognition, shorten lifespan and drive cancer rates through the roof

Millions of people drink diet drinks, eat diet foods, and chew sugar-free gum thinking they are managing their weight or even going to lose weight, but when those “diet” products are loaded with aspartame and other adulterated chemical agents, they’re all in for a rude awakening. They get hungrier, larger, and suffer anxiety. Here’s why.

New research has raised concerns that popular diet soft drinks and other low-calorie sweetened products may harm brain health over time. A large study from Brazil suggests that consuming even one diet fizzy drink per day could accelerate brain ageing and cognitive decline, potentially increasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.

• Artificial sweeteners may accelerate brain ageing: A large study of over 12,000 adults found that consuming high levels of common sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and sorbitol — even the equivalent of one diet fizzy drink per day — was linked to a 62% higher risk of brain ageing, roughly 1.6 years faster decline in cognitive function.
• Diabetes patients face higher risks: The link between artificial sweeteners and brain decline was particularly strong in people with diabetes, who are more likely to use sugar substitutes. Both diabetic and non-diabetic participants showed decline, but diabetics may face compounded risks.
• Younger adults may be more vulnerable: Participants under 60 who consumed the highest amounts of sweeteners showed faster declines in verbal fluency and overall cognition compared to those over 60, suggesting midlife consumption could have more noticeable effects on brain health.
• Experts urge caution and more research: While the study points to possible long-term harm to cognitive function from low- and no-calorie sweeteners, researchers stress the need for further investigation to confirm these findings and to explore safer alternatives, like natural sweeteners (e.g., honey or maple syrup).

Experts warn of hidden danger in soft drinks millions enjoy every day – common additives tied to brain decline

The research focused on commonly used artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and tagatose. These substances are widely found in diet sodas, flavored waters, energy drinks, yogurts, chewing gum, and low-calorie desserts. Long regarded as safer alternatives to sugar, they have already been linked to certain cancers and heart problems. Now, scientists warn they may also impair cognitive function over the long term.

Researchers tracked the dietary habits of 12,772 adults with an average age of 52. Participants were divided into three groups based on their intake of artificial sweeteners, ranging from about 20mg per day in the lowest group to nearly 200mg per day in the highest. For aspartame, that upper level is roughly equivalent to one can of diet soda per day. Sorbitol, a sugar alcohol, accounted for the highest average consumption (64mg/day).

Over eight years, participants underwent periodic cognitive testing measuring memory, attention, and processing speed. After adjusting for factors such as age and health conditions, the results revealed a striking pattern: those consuming the highest levels of sweeteners experienced brain ageing 62 percent faster than those consuming the least—equivalent to about 1.6 years of cognitive ageing. The middle group showed a 35 percent faster decline, roughly equal to 1.3 years of extra brain ageing.

The effects appeared particularly pronounced in individuals under age 60, who showed steeper declines in verbal fluency and overall cognitive performance. In contrast, no significant association was found among those over 60, suggesting age may influence susceptibility. People with diabetes—a group more likely to use artificial sweeteners as sugar substitutes—faced a higher risk as well.

Dr. Claudia Kimie Suemoto, a cardiovascular disease and dementia specialist at the University of São Paulo and co-author of the study, emphasized that while low and no-calorie sweeteners are often marketed as healthier alternatives to sugar, the findings suggest potential harm. She cautioned that more research is needed to confirm the link and to explore whether natural substitutes like honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, or even applesauce might be safer long-term alternatives.

The study, published in Neurology, acknowledges limitations. Dietary data were self-reported, meaning participants might not have recalled their consumption accurately. Nonetheless, the findings contribute to a growing body of evidence questioning the safety of artificial sweeteners.

The World Health Organization has already classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” noting that risks likely apply only to very high levels of intake. Still, given how widespread sweeteners are in modern diets, these findings highlight a potential public health concern: substances millions consume daily for weight and diabetes management may quietly accelerate brain ageing and cognitive decline.

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Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

DailyMail.co.uk

USRTK.org