A large study of over 12,000 adults suggests artificial sweeteners may speed up cognitive decline. Researchers followed civil servants in Brazil for eight years, assessing their intake and cognitive skills. Those consuming the most sweeteners experienced a 62% faster decline in thinking and memory. This decline was equivalent to approximately 1.6 years of additional aging. The study linked consumption of aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, sorbitol, and xylitol to cognitive loss. Specifically, daily intake was associated with accelerated declines in memory, verbal fluency, and global cognition. This trend was primarily observed in participants under the age of 60. The researchers recommend consumers use natural sweeteners like tagatose, honey, or maple syrup instead. They emphasize the need to encourage middle-aged adults to reduce their sweetener consumption. This finding highlights potential risks associated with common artificial sweeteners.