The following researchers, Dr. Pradeep Bhide and colleagues at Florida State University’s College of Medicine, conducted a study published in Scientific Reports in 2023 examining how low-dose aspartame consumption affects brain function across generations.

In simple terms, the researchers gave male mice a daily dose of aspartame equivalent to about 7–15% of the FDA’s maximum recommended intake — a relatively low amount. They maintained this dosage for 16 weeks. After this period, the male mice bred with females that had not been exposed to aspartame.

What they found was striking: the male mice’s offspring — and even the next generation — exhibited significant deficits in spatial learning and memory. These effects were seen even though the offspring themselves were never directly exposed to aspartame. That suggests a transgenerational impact, likely via epigenetic modifications in sperm.

The outcome points to a potential long-lasting effect of aspartame on cognitive function that extends beyond the individual consuming it. This raises important questions about how we evaluate the safety of food additives — especially regarding paternal exposure.

However, it’s important to acknowledge the study was conducted in mice, not humans, and at a controlled dosage level. While the findings are concerning, more research is needed to confirm whether similar mechanisms apply to humans and what levels of aspartame intake may pose such risks.