The non-sugar, low-calorie sweetener aspartame — which is found in many sugar-free or “diet” foods and drinks — has been linked to potential problems with memory and learning, according to a study from the Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine. In the study, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports, male mice that consumed aspartame — even at levels deemed safe by the FDA — had offspring that “demonstrated spatial learning and memory deficits,” a press release from FSU stated. The ones that drank only water were able to find the “safe” box to escape from the maze much faster than the ones that consumed aspartame, the researchers found. “The results of this study suggest that even low-level consumption of aspartame may contribute to memory and learning problems that may be hereditary across generations,” she told Fox News Digital. “In addition, the study’s findings suggest that aspartame may cause genetic changes in sperm that may affect future generations.”Johnson-Arbor also pointed out, however, that previous studies did not demonstrate a similar association between aspartame consumption, memory and learning.

Source: Fox News September 21, 2023 14:31 UTC