Sweeteners increase the risk of premature puberty

According to a study presented at the ENDO 2025 annual conference of the Endocrine Society in San Francisco, California, consumption of certain sweeteners widely used in foods and beverages may increase the risk of early puberty in children, especially those with a genetic predisposition.

The researchers found that consumption of aspartame, sucralose, glycyrrhizin, and added sugars was associated with a significantly higher risk of early puberty, especially in children with certain genetic characteristics. The more of these sweeteners children and adolescents consumed, the higher their risk of developing central precocious puberty.

“This study is one of the first to link modern dietary habits, particularly sweetener consumption, to both genetic factors and early puberty in a large real-world cohort,” said Yang Ching Chen, MD, PhD, from Taipei Medical University, Taiwan. “It also highlights gender differences in the impact of sweeteners on boys and girls, adding an important aspect to our understanding of individual health risks.” .

A type of early puberty known as central precocious puberty is becoming increasingly common. It can lead to emotional distress, shorter adult height, and an increased risk of metabolic and reproductive disorders in the future.

In previous studies, Chen found that some sweeteners can directly affect hormones and gut bacteria associated with early puberty. For example, one artificial sweetener, called acesulfame potassium or AceK, has been shown to trigger the release of hormones associated with puberty by activating “sweet taste” pathways in brain cells and increasing the number of molecules associated with stress. Another sweetener, glycyrrhizin, found in malt, has been found to alter the balance of gut bacteria and reduce the activity of genes involved in triggering puberty.

“This suggests that what children eat and drink, especially products with sweeteners, can have unexpected and powerful effects on their development,” Chen said.

The new data was obtained as part of the Taiwanese Longitudinal Study of Puberty (TPLS), which began in 2018. The study used data on 1,407 adolescents. Central precocious puberty was diagnosed in 481 adolescents. The researchers assessed adolescents’ consumption of sweeteners using validated questionnaires and urine sample analysis. Genetic predisposition was quantified using polygenic risk scores based on 19 genes associated with central precocious puberty. Early puberty was diagnosed based on medical examinations, hormone levels, and tomography results.

Sucralose consumption was associated with a higher risk of central precocious puberty in boys, while glycyrrhizin, sucralose, and added sugar consumption were associated with a higher risk of central precocious puberty in girls.

“These findings are directly relevant to families, pediatricians, and public health authorities,” Chen said. “They suggest that screening for genetic risk and moderate consumption of sweeteners may help prevent early puberty and its long-term health consequences. This could lead to new dietary recommendations or risk assessment tools for children that promote healthier development.”

San Donato Hospital Group Italy,MilanLeave a request

Vitality Medical & Research Center Ukraine,KyivLeave a request

Published: 18.07.2025

Updated: 16.07.2025

Medical author, Medical editor:

Stepan Yuk

Medical expert:

PhD. Olexandr Voznyak