Sweeteners May Trigger Early Puberty in Genetically At-Risk Children, Study Finds

A study presented at ENDO 2025 suggests that consuming certain sweeteners—such as aspartame, sucralose, glycyrrhizin, and added sugars—may increase the risk of early puberty, particularly in children with specific genetic predispositions. Researchers analyzed data from 1,407 adolescents in the Taiwan Pubertal Longitudinal Study and found that higher sweetener intake correlated with greater incidence of central precocious puberty. Sucralose was linked to early puberty in boys, while glycyrrhizin, sucralose, and added sugars were associated with the condition in girls. Lead researcher Dr. Yang-Ching Chen emphasized the role of genetics and diet in puberty timing, noting that artificial sweeteners may affect gut bacteria and hormonal pathways. The study highlights the importance of monitoring dietary sweetener consumption in children, especially those at genetic risk. These findings could inform future public health guidelines and lead to targeted screening strategies to reduce long-term metabolic and reproductive health risks tied to early puberty.

22-07-2025