Posted on 07/23/2025 8:38:03 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Consuming certain sweeteners commonly found in foods and beverages may increase the risk of early puberty in children, particularly among those who are genetically predisposed, according to a study.
The researchers found that consuming aspartame, sucralose, glycyrrhizin and added sugars was significantly associated with a higher risk of early puberty, especially in children with certain genetic traits. The more of these sweeteners the teens consumed, the higher their risk of central precocious puberty.
A type of early puberty known as central precocious puberty is increasingly common. It can lead to emotional distress, shorter adult height, and increased risk of future metabolic and reproductive disorders.
Chen's previous research found that certain sweeteners can directly influence hormones and gut bacteria linked to early puberty. For example, one artificial sweetener called acesulfame potassium or AceK was shown to trigger the release of puberty-related hormones by activating "sweet taste" pathways in brain cells and increasing stress-related molecules. Another sweetener, glycyrrhizin—found in licorice—was found to change the balance of gut bacteria and reduce the activity of genes involved in triggering puberty.
The new findings come from the Taiwan Pubertal Longitudinal Study (TPLS), begun in 2018. The study included data from 1,407 teens. Central precocious puberty was diagnosed in 481 teens. The researchers 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 consumption was linked to a higher risk of central precocious puberty in boys and consumption of glycyrrhizin, sucralose and added sugars was associated with a higher risk of central precocious puberty in girls.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Thanks for the article, I’m trying to delay as long as I can.
When I was a child, I joined the protests and held the signs “Lower the Age of Puberty”. My classmates and I were pumped about it.
I was born too soon.
I’m a wannabe Wilt Chamberlain.
Jerry Lee Lewis was part of that movement I think.
He certainly did his part. He even helped kinfolk, like cousins and such.
LOL, down home folk.
.
The 70% of the food consumed by the USA’s children consisting of ultra processed food is having catastrophic results. I suspect that it is not the children of the elite who are consuming so much ultra processed food. Just as they are not going to the terrible public schools in our inner cities, they are likely drinking water and eating healthy food.
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