The Effects of Aspartame, Sucrose, and Water on Short-Term Cognitive Performance

In this study, we investigated the impact of aspartame and sucrose on short-term cognitive performance. We employed a quasi-randomized-controlled, double-anonymous design, and had 130 participants undergo two study visits in a randomized order. The shorter visit included a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, a fasting blood glucose (BG) test, and cognitive assessments from the NIH-toolbox. During the longer visit, participants underwent fasting BG testing before consuming a 500 ml beverage of either a 0.05% aspartame solution, an 11% sucrose solution, or water (with these beverage groups randomized). BG tests and cognitive assessments were completed twice more, at 20-min post-beverage consumption (20m PC) and at 60-min post-beverage consumption (60m PC). BG responses were as predicted, with participants in the water and AS groups responding similarly and remaining at fasting levels, and the sucrose group showing a spike in BG at 20m PC and returning to baseline by 60m PC (<i>p</i> < .0001). We found no group differences in cognitive performance at any time point (<i>p</i> = .6172). Cognitive test performance improved from the first test to subsequent tests regardless of beverage group (<i>p</i> < .0001). Although we found no group differences in short-term cognitive performance as a function of sweetener condition, more research is needed to determine the short and long-term cognitive effects of artificial sweeteners.