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Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Artificial sweetener found in Diet Coke and chewing gum could trigger puberty early, study suggests
Children who consume a diet packed with sweeteners may be at higher risk of reaching puberty earlier, concerning research suggests. Commonly-used sweeteners including aspartame, found in drinks like Diet Coke and products like Extra chewing gum and Muller Light yoghurts as sugar alternatives, have long been linked to certain cancers and heart issues. But now, Taiwanese experts have found that high levels of the additives could also trigger central precocious puberty—where the first signs of puberty emerge far earlier than normal, typically before the age of eight in girls and nine in boys. Higher consumption of 'added sugars', meaning those above the natural content of a food or drink item, was also linked with an earlier puberty. Experts said the study—one of the first of its kind—showed how sweeteners had a 'surprising and powerful impact' on children's development. Previous studies have warned that starting puberty at a very young age may increase the risk of other health conditions including depression, diabetes and even cancers. Dr Yang-Ching Chen, study co-author and an expert in nutrition and health sciences at Taipei Medical University, said: '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. 'It also highlights gender differences in how sweeteners affect boys and girls, adding an important layer to our understanding of individualised health risks.' In the study, the scientists assessed 1,407 Taiwanese teens, who undertook diet questionnaires and urine tests, and discovered 481 had undergone early puberty. They found the artificial sweetener sucralose showed a stronger link with early puberty in boys, while aspartame, glycyrrhizin and regular added sugars showed a stronger link in girls. Experts also found the risk was most pronounced in those who already had a genetic predisposition towards an earlier puberty. The study was presented at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco, and has yet to be published in full. But common limitations of diet studies include the fact eating habits are often self-reported. Sucralose is made from normal sucrose table sugar but is chemically altered so the body doesn't process it as a carbohydrate, meaning that it contains no calories. It is the main ingredient in the Canderel sweetener. Glycyrrhizin, on the other hand, comes from liquorice roots and is a natural sweetener. Previous research from the same team found that some sweeteners can affect the release of puberty-related hormones. They said the chemicals were having this effect by influencing the function of cells in the brain or by altering the make-up of bacteria in the gut. Concerns about the impact artificial sweeteners, which are added a plethora of products to make them TAST sweet with fewer calories, could be having health, including its cardiovascular impact, have circulated for years. But critics highlight such studies are only observational, meaning they are unable to prove artificial sweeteners are the culprit and cannot rule out other external factors being to blame. Fears have also been raised about links between artificial sweeteners and cancer. These worries were heightened in 2023 after the World Health Organisation controversially classified the artificial sweetener aspartame, found in drinks like Diet Coke, as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans'. However, the UN agency ruled it only posed a risk to those who consumed massive amounts and that an 11 stone (70kg) adult could safely drink about 14 cans a day. A growing body of research also suggests that girls who go through puberty at earlier ages could be at risk for health issues later in life. One 2023 US study found that girls who started their period before the age of 13 were at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and suffering strokes in adulthood than their peers who began menstruating later. Another, published in the Lancet, found that girls who started their periods at early ages were at an increased risk of breast cancer. Experts have put the surge in girls starting puberty younger down to the ongoing obesity crisis, with fat cells containing hormonal properties triggering puberty at a younger age.
Newsweek
13-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Children Consuming Common Sweeteners Face Higher Early Puberty Risk
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. 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." Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about children's health? Let us know via health@
Epoch Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Beating Cancer With the Heart: One Professor's Mindset Helped Him Stay Healthy for 15 Years
A 7.5-inch tumor, lung metastasis, and multiple rounds of treatment—Han Bo-Cheng, an honorary professor at Taipei Medical University, overcame all odds to defeat liver cancer. Fifteen years later, he remains cancer-free and attributes his recovery not only to medicine but to one powerful force: emotional healing. His story offers hope and insight for those facing cancer or any life-altering crisis. Healing from the Inside Out: A Cancer Survivor's Journey When you are diagnosed with cancer, how you face the illness and navigate treatment becomes a major concern for both you and your loved ones. For Han, the turning point wasn't just medical—it was emotional. In 2008, Han was diagnosed with liver cancer and discovered a massive 7.5-inch, 4.4-pound tumor. After undergoing surgery to remove two-thirds of his liver, the cancer later spread to his lungs. He endured 25 chemotherapy sessions, 12 rounds of radiation, and targeted drug therapy. When the cancer recurred three years later, he required another surgery. Since then, Han has remained cancer-free. Not only has he regained his health, but he also appears younger than his age—something he credits to a complete transformation in mindset. Emotional Healing: The Missing Piece in Cancer Recovery Han believes a crucial part of healing lies in addressing emotions. 'I am the root of all problems, and love is the answer to all of them,' Han said in an interview with NTDTV's 'Health 1+1' program—a central realization during his recovery.
Medscape
05-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollution Can Double Glaucoma Risk
Long-term exposure to air pollutants was associated with an increased risk of developing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), with each SD increase in their average 10-year levels of pollution raising the risk by 40%-108%. METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed the records of 590,338 individuals aged 20 years or older from a nationwide cohort in Taiwan who had never been diagnosed with glaucoma and had at least 10 years of data regarding their exposure to air pollution. The levels of seven air pollutants — including sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter < 10 µm in diameter (PM10), PM2.5, nitrogen oxides (NOX) — nitrogen monoxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) — were monitored, with the exposure data linked to the residential postal codes of the participants. The primary outcome was the incidence of POAG during the follow-up period from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2013. TAKEAWAY: During the follow-up period, 3158 participants (mean age, 42.7 years; 50.1% men) were diagnosed with POAG. An increase of 1 SD in the 10-year average levels of SO2, CO, NOX, NO, and NO2 was associated with a 40%, 108%, 84%, 63%, and 84% increased risk for POAG, respectively ( P < .001 for all). < .001 for all). Increased long-term exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 increased the risk of developing POAG by 56% and 94%, respectively ( P < .001 for both). IN PRACTICE: 'Our analysis showed that mean concentrations of PM10 (54.63 μg/m3), PM2.5 (32.72 μg/m3), and NO2 (18.14 ppb) exceeded the WHO's recommended limits of 15 μg/m3 (annual average limit), 5 μg/m3 (annual average limit), and 13.30 ppb, respectively. This highlights that the individuals in our study were exposed to pollutant levels surpassing international safety standards, which may have contributed to the increased risk of POAG,' the researchers wrote. 'Our findings suggest that air pollution is a significant environmental risk factor for POAG and that different pollutants potentially contribute to systemic inflammation,' they added. SOURCE: This study was led by Shu-Han Chuang of Changhua Christian Hospital in Changhua and Chien-Liang Wu of Taipei Medical University in Taipei, both in Taiwan. It was published online on May 31, 2025, in the American Journal of Ophthalmology . LIMITATIONS: This study did not measure the quality of air breathed by people inside their homes or at their workplaces. The database lacked any information on smoking, even though smoking influences both air pollution levels and risk for glaucoma. It also limited the inclusion of factors such as genetic predisposition, severity of disease, clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and lifestyle. DISCLOSURES: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.
