Sweeteners potentially accelerating puberty? New research suggests genetic factors could play a role as well
In a groundbreaking study presented at the Endocrine Society's 2025 meeting, researchers have found a connection between common sweeteners and the onset of early puberty in children. The study, which involved over 1,400 Taiwanese children, including 481 adolescents diagnosed with central precocious puberty, is one of the first to examine the relationship between modern dietary habits and early puberty development in a large, real-world cohort.
The study, led by researcher Yang-Ching Chen, M.D., Ph.D., tracked sweetener intake via validated survey questionnaires and urine biomarkers. The findings revealed a higher observed risk of early puberty with a higher sweetener intake.
Common sweeteners linked to early puberty in children include aspartame (Equal), sucralose (Splenda), glycyrrhizin (from licorice root), and added sugars. These sweeteners have been associated with a higher risk of central precocious puberty, especially in children who carry certain genetic traits known to influence the timing of puberty. The risk increases with greater consumption of these sweeteners.
The study also highlighted gender differences in how sweeteners affect boys and girls, adding an important layer to our understanding of individualized health risks. Children with certain genetic variants are more susceptible, and the interaction between sweetener intake and genetics differentially influences puberty onset in boys and girls. However, the detailed mechanisms or quantitative differences between genders in this effect remain less specified in the current studies.
Genetic predisposition was quantified using a polygenic risk score derived from 19 genes related to central precocious puberty. The researchers found that the risk is higher if the child carries these genetic traits.
Previous work has shown that sweeteners like acesulfame potassium can elevate puberty-related hormones and stress brain chemicals. This new study suggests that these common sweeteners can disrupt hormonal signals and gut bacteria, which may trigger early brain release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, leading to early puberty onset.
This research provides valuable insights into the potential health risks associated with the consumption of common sweeteners, especially for children. Parents are advised to be mindful of their children's sweetener intake and consider reducing their consumption to help mitigate the risk of early puberty. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these findings and to develop strategies for prevention and treatment.
- The connection between common sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose, glycyrrhizin, and added sugars, and the risk of early puberty in children is gaining attention, following a groundbreaking study in health-and-wellness and medical-conditions research.
- This study, focusing on fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and nutrition aspects, unveiled that children who consumede more of these sweeteners are at a higher risk of developing central precocious puberty, especially those with certain genetic traits.
- The researchers emphasized the importance of nutrition, recommending parents to monitor their children's intake of sweeteners to help minimize the risk of early puberty onset, as further research in these areas will continue to provide crucial insights.
