Artificial Sweeteners Brain Health Risks

artificial Sweeteners have become a part of our everyday diet. If you pick up any sugar-free processed food, protein powder, flavored yogurt or diet soda, you will definitely find some artificial sweetener among its ingredients.

These sweeteners are used as sugar substitutes because they do not spike insulin and provide sweetness without the calories. This is the reason why diabetic people, people doing weight loss and people taking healthy diet use it. But the question is whether it is really safe for our health.

A study was published in the medical journal of the ‘American Academy of Neurology’ in October 2025. According to this, excessive consumption of artificial sweeteners can reduce memory and thinking ability. In such a situation, it is not wise to take it without any worry.

So let’s go today physical health In this article we will talk in detail about artificial sweeteners. You will also learn that-

Expert: Dr. Saket Kant, Senior Consultant Endocrinology, Shri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi

Question- What does the new study on artificial sweetener say?

answer- This study was conducted on 12,772 people of Brazil, whose average age was 52 years. The people involved in the research were monitored for about eight years. During this period, information about his diet was taken and brain tests were done from time to time. In the research, 7 artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol and tagatose were examined.

It was found that those who were taking more artificial sweeteners, their ability to think and remember decreased 62% faster than others. This reduction was as if the brain had become 1.6 years older than its actual age. Studies indicate that these sweeteners used as sugar substitutes can harm our brain health in the long run.

Question- What is artificial sweetener?

answer- These are chemical or processed substances which are used as substitutes for sugar. They are added to sugar-free foods, diet sodas, and low-calorie products. The main features of artificial sweetener are –

That’s why diabetic people and people looking to lose weight choose artificial sweeteners. However, these are not natural sugars and undergo factory processing. Therefore, eating them for a long time can be harmful. Right now detailed research is being done on this.

Question- Apart from brain, what are the other health risks of artificial sweetener?

answer- New studies are continuously being conducted regarding artificial sweeteners. According to the current studies so far, its prolonged consumption increases the risk of metabolic syndrome to cancer. See the details in the graphic below –

Question- What is the difference between artificial sweetener and sugar?

answer- Sugar is a natural carbohydrate, which provides instant energy to the body. But if taken in excess quantity, there is a risk of increasing weight and blood sugar. However, it is naturally metabolized in the body.

Whereas artificial sweeteners provide sweetness to the body, but do not provide any nutrition. That means they contain neither calories, nor vitamins, nor minerals, nor any nutrients useful for the body. They also have zero effect on blood sugar and insulin.

After the harm of sugar on our metabolic health came to light, these artificial sweeteners became quite popular because they were as sweet as sugar in taste, but eating them did not increase the sugar level. These prevented insulin spike. These had zero calories, due to which weight did not increase. Overall, doctors and scientists agreed that this could be a better healthy alternative to sugar.

But now gradually the studies being done on this are indicating something else. It is now believed that if it is consumed for a long time, it has negative effects on gut health, brain health, appetite control and brain signaling.

Question- Why do people eat artificial sweetener?

answer- Often people choose artificial sweeteners to avoid the harm of sugar, control weight, manage diabetes and follow fitness trends. Understand from the graphic given below-

Question: Which foods may contain artificial sweetener?

answer- Many everyday processed foods may contain artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are used as a substitute for sugar in all the food products available in the market that are labeled ‘sugar-free’. A ‘low calorie’ or ‘diet’ label also indicates that the product has used artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. That’s why it’s important to read labels. See the list of foods containing artificial sweetener in the graphic below:

Question- How to know whether a food contains artificial sweetener or not?

answer- The only way to know is to carefully read the ingredient labels written on the food.

Question: Under what names are artificial sweeteners written on food labels?

answer- There are many types of artificial sweeteners and they are available in the market under many names. The only way to detect their presence in a food is to know the names of different types of artificial sweeteners. If you see the names given below in the ingredient list of a food label, then understand that artificial sweetener has been added to that food. Such as-

Apart from this, claims like ‘sugar free’, ‘no added sugar’ or ‘low calorie’ also indicate that artificial sweetener may have been used for sweetness. Therefore, do not believe only in the claims written in front. Be sure to check the ingredients list given on the food label.

Question- Many of the artificial sweeteners on which this research has been done have received FSSAI approval in India. In such a situation, both these things can create confusion for a common person.

answer- This is absolutely correct. But FSSAI is not alone. Food authority agencies around the world approved these artificial sweeteners because earlier they were considered safe. But in the last decade, many such studies have come out one by one, which are pointing towards their dangers. Researchers believe that more scientific evidence is still needed in this area. But the existing evidence is also enough to caution us.

Question- What things can be used as an alternative to artificial sweetener?

answer- Natural and less processed options can be adopted instead of artificial sweeteners. Their consumption in limited quantities is considered safe. Such as – honey, dates, fruits, stevia and monk fruit.

Honey and dates contain minerals and antioxidants along with natural sugar. Along with natural sweetness, fruits also provide fiber, which prevents blood sugar from increasing rapidly.

Monk fruit and stevia are plant-based, non-caloric sweeteners. Their glycemic index is zero. Therefore, these are considered a better option for diabetic people also. However, these should also be consumed in limited quantities only.

Question- What should be done to keep the brain healthy?

answer- Brain health is linked to our daily habits. With the right lifestyle, memory, focus and thinking ability can remain better for a long time. Such as-

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