For years, many Nigerians have turned to diet drinks, sugar-free gum, and low-calorie sweeteners, believing they were healthier options than sugar. However, a new international study has raised fresh concerns: these “sweet alternatives” may have a detrimental effect on the brain.
The research, published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, followed more than 12,000 adults in Brazil over an eight-year period. The scientists examined the effect of seven artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, saccharin, erythritol, and xylitol.
The shocking result: people who consumed the highest amounts of sweeteners, about 191 mg per day, experienced a decline in memory and thinking 62 per cent faster than those who consumed the least. The lead researcher, Dr Claudia Kimie Suemoto, explained that this level of decline was equal to adding 1.6 years of brain ageing.
“This does not mean someone will suddenly feel older,” she said, “but their brain may age faster, and the effect builds up over time.”
The Nigerian Angle
Health experts in Nigeria say the findings should not be ignored. Professor Tanimola Akande, a public health specialist at the University of Ilorin, called the study “a valid warning.” He said Nigerians need more awareness about what goes into their food.
Similarly, Professor Ifeoma Okoye of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, raised an alarm over aspartame, one of the most common sweeteners found in diet sodas, chewing gums, yoghurts, and even cough syrups. She warned that the risk of cancer and loss of trust in food safety could grow if Nigerians continue heavy consumption.
Dr Akinsanya Olusegun-Joseph, a cardiologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, linked artificial sweeteners not only to memory loss but also to diabetes and heart disease. “Studies in the US and Europe show higher levels of erythritol in the blood increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. Nigerians should be cautious,” he said.
A Global Warning
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also spoken on this matter. In its guideline on non-sugar sweeteners, WHO advised against using them to lose weight or prevent lifestyle diseases. According to Dr Francesco Branca, WHO’s Director for Nutrition and Food Safety, sweeteners “are not essential and provide no nutritional value.”
Instead, he urged people to reduce sugar naturally—by eating fruits or drinking unsweetened beverages.
Moderation is Key
Not all experts agree that sweeteners are direct killers. James Oloyede, Director of Nutrition Services at the Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, stressed that the study shows a “link” but not “proof” of direct harm.
“Some of these sweeteners may be connected to cancers, heart disease, or digestive issues. However, the main message is moderation,” he said. “People should be careful about how much of these products they consume.”
The Bigger Picture
Artificial sweeteners were once promoted as the safer choice for those avoiding sugar. However, evidence is growing that they come with hidden risks. For younger adults and people with diabetes, the dangers may be even higher.
As Nigerian households face rising health costs, experts say this is the right time to think twice about every sachet of diet drink or sugar-free snack.
The sweet taste may not always be worth the bitter outcome.
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