Children Consuming Common Sweeteners Face Higher Early Puberty Risk
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Common sweeteners found in foods and drinks may significantly increase the risk of early puberty in children, new research shows.
The findings come from a large-scale study that was presented on today at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 1,400 adolescents and found a strong link between sweetener consumption and central precocious puberty, a condition where puberty begins unusually early—typically before age eight in girls and nine in boys.
Central precocious puberty is becoming more common worldwide and can have lasting health consequences, including emotional challenges, shorter adult height and an increased risk of reproductive and metabolic disorders later in life.
The increased risk from sweeteners was also notably elevated among teens with specific genetic markers associated with early puberty onset.
Close Up Of Girl Drinking Sugary Fizzy Soda From Glass With Straw
Close Up Of Girl Drinking Sugary Fizzy Soda From Glass With Straw
Daisy-Daisy
"This study is one of the first to connect modern dietary habits—specifically sweetener intake—with both genetic factors and early puberty development in a large, real-world cohort," said Yang-Ching Chen, M.D., Ph.D., of Taipei Municipal Wan Fang Hospital and Taipei Medical University in Taipei, Taiwan.
The study, part of the ongoing Taiwan Pubertal Longitudinal Study (TPLS) launched in 2018, analyzed data on 1,407 adolescents, of whom 481 were diagnosed with central precocious puberty.
Researchers assessed dietary intake using questionnaires and urine testing and measured genetic risk using polygenic risk scores based on 19 genes related to early puberty.
The study revealed gender-specific effects of common sweeteners, which include aspartame, sucralose, glycyrrhizin (a compound found in licorice) and added sugars.
In girls, consumption of glycyrrhizin, sucralose and added sugars was linked to a higher risk of central precocious puberty.
In boys, sucralose stood out as the most significant sweetener associated with early puberty onset.
These sweeteners are commonly found in a wide range of everyday foods and drinks, including diet sodas, flavored yogurts, sugar-free gums, protein bars, cereals and even some children's medications.
Researchers also found a dose-response relationship: the more sweeteners consumed, the higher the risk.
The findings build on Chen's earlier work, which showed that sweeteners can disrupt hormonal regulation and gut microbiota balance.
For instance, acesulfame potassium (AceK), another common artificial sweetener, was previously shown to activate brain cell receptors involved in "sweet taste" pathways, increasing the release of puberty-related hormones and stress molecules.
Glycyrrhizin was also found to alter gut bacteria and suppress key genes that regulate puberty timing.
"This suggests that what children eat and drink, especially products with sweeteners, may have a surprising and powerful impact on their development," Chen said.
The findings could have far-reaching implications for dietary guidelines and pediatric care.
Chen emphasized that monitoring sweetener intake and considering a child's genetic predisposition may be critical in preventing early puberty and its associated long-term health risks.
"These results are directly relevant to families, pediatricians, and public health authorities," Chen said. "They suggest that screening for genetic risk and moderating sweetener intake could help prevent early puberty and its long-term health consequences."
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