Are Artificial Sweeteners Draining Your Brain Power? Science Says Yes—and TCM Offers Help

You swapped sugar for stevia, diet sodas for zero-calorie alternatives, and snacks that promise “guilt-free sweetness.” But while your waistline may benefit, your brain might be paying the price.

A new long-term study published in Neurology (read the full study here) reveals that six common artificial sweeteners could be linked to faster cognitive decline. That includes sweeteners found in diet sodas, protein bars, and sugar-free yogurts—foods many of us consume daily.

If you’re feeling more forgetful lately or struggling to focus, the problem may not be stress or aging. It could be your sweetener of choice. Thankfully, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a gentle, natural way to support brain health: acupressure.

Let’s break down what the study found—and how you can use TCM wisdom to protect your memory and clarity.

New Study Links Artificial Sweeteners to Memory and Thinking Decline

Researchers followed 12,772 adults in Brazil, with an average age of 52, for eight years. The goal: to explore the long-term impact of artificial sweeteners on cognitive function.

What Was Studied

Participants completed detailed food frequency questionnaires to report how often they consumed products containing seven sweeteners:

• Aspartame
• Saccharin
• Xylitol
• Erythritol
• Sorbitol
• Acesulfame K
• Tagatose (used as a control)

Participants were divided into three intake groups:

• Low (~20 mg/day)
• Moderate (~66 mg/day)
• High (~191 mg/day—about 1 can of diet soda)

Over the eight-year period, participants completed tests measuring:

• Verbal fluency
• Memory recall
• Overall cognitive processing

Results: More Sweeteners, Sharper Declines

Compared to those with low sweetener intake:

• The moderate group experienced:
  • 35% faster decline in overall cognitive function
  • 110% faster decline in verbal fluency
• The high-intake group showed:
  • 62% faster memory and thinking decline
  • 173% faster drop in verbal fluency

The results were most pronounced in people under 60 and those with diabetes. Interestingly, tagatose was the only sweetener not linked to decline.

Why It Matters: Sweeteners May Disrupt the Gut-Brain Connection

Researchers believe these sweeteners may negatively affect the gut microbiome, which plays a key role in regulating inflammation and brain function. Increased neuroinflammation and poor glucose regulation—especially in people with diabetes—may accelerate memory loss.

TCM Perspective: Strengthen Brain Energy with Acupressure

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, brain function is closely tied to the Kidneys, which store life essence, and the Stomach and Spleen, which provide postnatal energy through digestion. When these systems are taxed—such as by inflammatory foods or chemical additives—mental clarity can decline.

The good news? You can rebalance and revitalize these systems with acupressure. Below are three powerful points to stimulate for better focus, memory, and energy.

3 Acupressure Points to Support Brain Health

1. GB 20 – Gallbladder 20 / Feng Chi / Wind Pool

Location: At the base of the skull, in the hollows on either side of the spine

Benefits: Clears the head, relieves brain fog and tension, improves focus

How to use: Place your thumbs into the hollows and press upward and inward for 1–2 minutes while breathing deeply

2. ST 36 – Stomach 36 / Zu San Li / Leg Three Miles

Location: Four finger-widths below the kneecap, one finger-width lateral to the shinbone

Benefits: Strengthens digestion, boosts energy, nourishes the brain

How to use: Apply firm circular pressure for 1–2 minutes on each leg. This point is great for both physical and mental stamina

3. KI 3 – Kidney 3 / Tai Xi / Supreme Stream

Location: Inside the ankle, in the depression between the ankle bone and Achilles tendon

Benefits: Strengthens Kidney energy, supports memory, and promotes mental resilience

How to use: Press gently with your thumb for 1 minute on each side. Ideal before bed to calm the mind

Want to dive deeper into how acupressure can calm inflammation in the brain? Don’t miss our expert guide on acupressure for brain inflammation to support mental clarity and reduce brain stress naturally.

Final Thoughts: Rethink “Healthy” Sweeteners, Reconnect with Your Body

Artificial sweeteners may seem like a shortcut to better health, but science now shows they could come at a cognitive cost. The solution isn’t to live in fear—but to make more mindful choices.

By cutting back on processed sweeteners and using ancient practices like acupressure, you can nourish your brain and protect your future—one pressure point at a time.

Ready for more TCM wisdom you can use in daily life? Visit TCMTips.com and subscribe to our newsletter for simple, practical tips to support your health naturally.

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