Nicotinamide Riboside Reduces Sweetener-Induced Neurocognitive Impairments: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Around the world, many people consume sweeteners, with sweet beverages being a major source. Previous studies have shown that too many sweeteners can harm health, including affecting brain function. Nicotinamide riboside (NR), a substance that helps boost NAD+ levels in the body, has been shown to improve brain function in other cases of cognitive impairment. However, it was unclear if NR could protect against cognitive problems caused by sweeteners. In this study, mice were given either a sugary drink (sucrose solution) or a sugar-free sweetener drink (aspartame solution) from weaning to adulthood to mimic an extreme diet. The results showed that both sweeteners caused cognitive problems, including anxiety, depression, and issues with learning, memory, and social behavior. They also caused brain cell damage, inflammation, and other harmful changes in the brain. However, when the mice were treated with NR, it boosted NAD+ levels in the brain and helped prevent or reduce these problems. In summary, NR supplementation helped protect against cognitive damage caused by sweeteners, likely by boosting brain NAD+ levels, reducing inflammation, and restoring balance in brain cell functions.

Journal

Food & Function