Your Diet Soda Could Be Affecting Your Memory, New Study Suggests

A new study has found that regular consumption of artificial sweeteners may be associated with a faster decline in memory and cognitive function, raising fresh questions about the long-term effects of sugar substitutes on brain health. Researchers caution that the findings show an association rather than proof of a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Neurology by the American Academy of Neurology, followed nearly 13,000 adults over an eight-year period. Researchers examined seven commonly used low- and no-calorie sweeteners to assess their potential link with changes in cognitive performance over time.

Study examined seven common sweeteners

The research evaluated aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K), erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and tagatose. According to the findings, participants who consumed an average of 191 milligrams of artificial sweeteners per day—roughly the amount of aspartame found in one can of diet soda—experienced a 62% faster rate of memory and cognitive decline than those with the lowest intake.

Researchers also found that participants with moderate artificial sweetener consumption had a 35% higher risk of cognitive decline compared with those who consumed the lowest amounts.

Higher association observed in some groups

The association was more pronounced among adults younger than 60 and people with diabetes, groups that are more likely to use sugar substitutes instead of regular sugar. Researchers said these findings warrant further investigation to better understand whether specific populations may be more vulnerable.

Among the seven sweeteners studied, tagatose was the only one that did not show a clear association with accelerated cognitive decline. The remaining six sweeteners were linked to an increased risk in the observational analysis.

Researchers urge caution, not conclusions

Lead author Dr. Claudia Kimie Suemoto of the University of São Paulo said artificial sweeteners are widely regarded as healthier alternatives to sugar, but the findings suggest that prolonged consumption of some sweeteners could have unintended effects on brain health.

Artificial sweeteners are commonly found in diet soft drinks, flavoured water, energy drinks, yoghurt and other low-calorie processed foods.

However, the researchers emphasized that the study was observational, meaning it cannot establish that artificial sweeteners directly cause memory loss or cognitive decline. They said additional research, including studies examining individual sweeteners and underlying biological mechanisms, is needed to confirm the findings.

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