Sweeteners May Accelerate Puberty in Children: Study

A large-scale study found that certain sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, glycyrrhizin, and more may contribute to an increased risk of early puberty in children, particularly in cases where children have a genetic susceptibility. Importantly, effects differed between boys and girls, the researchers noted.

The findings, which were presented at The Endocrine Society’s ENDO 2025 conference, came from the Taiwan Pubertal Longitudinal Study (TPLS), which began in 2018 and monitored 1,407 teens, 481 of whom were diagnosed with precocious puberty during the study. Precocious puberty is on the rise, the researchers noted, and is associated with emotional distress, shorter adult height, and increased risk of future metabolic and reproductive disorders.

“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, MD, PhD of Taipei Medical University in Taipei, Taiwan. “It also highlights gender differences in how sweeteners affect boys and girls, adding an important layer to our understanding of individualized health risks.”

Earlier research Chen conducted found that certain sweeteners can directly influence hormones and gut bacteria linked to early puberty. Acesulfame potassium (AceK), for instance, was shown to trigger the release of hormones by activating “sweet taste” pathways in brain cells and increasing stress-related molecules. Another sweetener found in licorice called glycyrrhizin was found to change 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, may have a surprising and powerful impact on their development,” said Chen

Key Findings

The observational study assessed teens’ sweetener intake through validated questionnaires and testing of urine samples. Genetic predisposition was quantified using polygenic risk scores derived from 19 genes related to central precocious puberty. Early puberty was diagnosed based on medical exams, hormone levels, and scans.

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

“The findings 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. This could lead to new dietary guidelines or risk assessment tools for children, supporting healthier development.”