Study Reveals Low Calorie Manufacturers Make Brain Function Decrease

JAKARTA - Recently, it has been popular with replacing sugar with low-calorie sweeteners, who are considered healthier and better at managing weight. However, a recent study published in early September 2025 in the journal Neurology, revealed the bad effects of low-calorie sweeteners on brain health.

The study found that people who consume six artificial sweeteners in high jumalh can experience significant thinking and memory skills. The decline is higher than those who consume similar sweeteners in less number.

The study researchers analyzed data from 12,722 Brazilian adults, who are on average 52 years old. They were asked to fill out a questionnaire about eating and drinking habits in the past year.

In particular, the research team tracks seven low or no-calorie sweeteners, commonly found such aspartam, sakarin, xylitol, erytritol, sorbitol, tagarise, and acesulfam K.

The participants were divided based on the amount of sweeteners consumed. Low consumption is characterized by 20 milligrams (mg) of intake per day, moderate 66 mg per day, and height is 191 mg per day.

Over a span of 8 years, the participants underwent various cognitive tests. The results revealed that high intake groups experienced a 62 percent faster rate of memory and thinking capacity.

More specifically, this study found that the low calorie sweetener intake made the brain 1.6 years older. However, the decrease in brain function occurs slowly.

"But the result doesn't mean someone will immediately experience memory problems after consuming the sweetened drink," said one study author from Sao Paulo University, Brazil, Claudia Kimie Suemoto, quoted from Health, on Friday, October 3, 2025.

However, people who often consume the sweetener have a faster aging brain. This can increase the risk of an early cognitive decline, especially since the relationship between low-calorie sweeteners and a decrease in brain function only occurs in people under the age of 60.