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By Hollie Silverman
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A recent study published in the January 2026 edition of Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy determined that the popular artificial sweetener aspartame may harm the heart and brain.
When administering to mice an equivalent to one-sixth of the maximum recommended daily intake for humans, researchers found that the rodents suffered mild cardiac hypertrophy, an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, as well as signs of declining cognitive performance.
Why It Matters
Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, are widely found in American diets, marketed as low-calorie alternatives to sugar for weight management and blood sugar control.
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As aspartame and similar sweeteners remain prevalent in food and beverage products across the country, understanding any potential risks is significant for millions of consumers aiming to make informed dietary decisions.
What To Know
The researchers, led by Irati Aiestaran-Zelaia and colleagues, found that while aspartame reduced body fat by approximately 20 percent, it also led to abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, as assessed by MRI and histological analysis.
In addition, aspartame-exposed mice demonstrated signs of declining cognitive performance, including reduced spatial awareness and memory capability as measured by behavioral testing.
The research suggests that aspartame, even at doses well below the current regulatory limits, can have negative impacts on heart and brain function in animal models. The results have prompted the research team to recommend a critical reevaluation of current human safety limits for aspartame.
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What Is Aspartame?
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than table sugar, known as sucrose, and is used to provide sweetness with minimal calories.
Commonly found in products labeled as "diet" or "sugar-free," it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and widely used in beverages, desserts, chewing gum, dairy products, cereals, and some over-the-counter medications.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the typical recommended maximum daily intake is 50 mg per kilogram (approximately 22.7 mg per pound) of body weight. However, actual consumption pattern varies based on individual dietary choices.
Related research on other artificial sweeteners, such as erythritol, raises further concerns.
A National Institutes of Health-supported study in 2023 found that people with higher blood erythritol levels had a greater risk for heart attack, stroke, or death. Laboratory research determined erythritol increased blood clot formation and oxidative stress in brain blood vessels, impairing their function.
An eight-year prospective study of more than 12,700 adults published in Neurology in September 2025 reported that consumption of low- and no-calorie sweeteners, including aspartame and erythritol, was associated with a faster rate of cognitive decline, especially in memory and verbal fluency, among those under 60.
The authors of that study noted some limitations, including potential dietary measurement errors and confounding factors, but highlight a need for further long-term research.
What People Are Saying
The study authors in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy wrote: “These findings suggest aspartame at permitted doses can compromise the function of major organs, and so it would be advisable to reassess the safety limits for humans.”
Graduate researcher Auburn Berry, University of Colorado Boulder, wrote in American Physiology Summit: “While erythritol is widely used in sugar-free products marketed as healthier alternatives, more research is needed to fully understand its impact on vascular health. In general, people should be conscious of the amount of erythritol they are consuming on a daily basis”
What Happens Next
Additional studies, particularly in humans, are needed to clarify the risk, determine mechanisms, and guide policymakers.
For now, researchers and health authorities suggest that consumers monitor their intake of artificial sweeteners while remaining attentive to emerging research and updated public health guidance.
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