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The study sheds light on the non-cariogenic properties of aspartame, offering promising insights into its role as a safer alternative to sugar in protecting oral health. Stephen A. Fleming, Traverse Science, Inc., Mundelein, IL, 60060 USA, and colleagues aimed to assess whether aspartame contributes to tooth decay and explore the underlying mechanisms influencing its effects on oral health.

Researchers conducted a comprehensive review of literature across major scientific databases—PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL—up to February 16, 2024. The analysis included studies comparing aspartame with sucrose or other controls in human and animal models, as well as, in laboratory-based dental samples. The evaluation focused on parameters such as caries development, acid production in the mouth, changes in oral bacterial composition, and effects on dental mineralization. The strength of evidence was assessed using the GRADE framework.

The findings were from thirteen studies, including two clinical trials, seven preclinical trials in rats, and four studies using bovine tooth samples.

The key findings were as follows:

• In human studies, aspartame was significantly less acidogenic than sugar and showed effects similar to water, which is considered neutral for oral health.
• Laboratory-based studies on tooth samples revealed that aspartame exposure led to lower acid production and less dental erosion than sugar.
• Animal studies demonstrated that rats fed aspartame instead of sugar developed fewer cavities.
• The reduction in tooth decay was more pronounced when aspartame replaced sugar entirely, but less when used alongside sucrose.
• There was a modest reduction in sulcal caries with aspartame use.
• While aspartame did not strongly prevent cavities, it showed clear advantages over sugar in reducing cariogenic effects.

The review also examined how aspartame affects oral bacteria, concluding that its influence on microbial composition was limited. This suggests that its benefits in dental health may not stem from altering bacterial activity but rather from its ability to help reduce overall sugar intake, one of the main contributors to tooth decay.

While aspartame appears non-cariogenic, meaning it does not promote cavities, the study found limited evidence to support any significant anti-cariogenic effects—that is, its ability to prevent dental caries through direct biological mechanisms. The primary advantage of aspartame is its potential to replace free sugars in the diet, thereby reducing one of the main risk factors for tooth decay.

The analysis emphasizes that aspartame, when used as a sugar substitute, may help in maintaining oral pH and reducing caries incidence, especially in comparison to sucrose. However, due to variability across studies and the limited strength of evidence, researchers recommend further long-term clinical trials to better understand aspartame’s role in dental health and its potential in caries prevention strategies.

Reference:

Fleming, S. A., Fleming, R. A., & Peregoy, J. (2025). The non-cariogenic effects of aspartame: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Dentistry, 157, 105715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2025.105715

The study, involving a large cohort of patients, revealed that both MetS as a whole and its components—such as hypertension, high blood sugar, elevated cholesterol, and abdominal obesity—were linked to a heightened risk of developing dementia at an earlier age. These findings shed light on the potential long-term effects of MetS on cognitive health.

Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, has long been a known contributor to various health complications. However, its relationship with cognitive decline, particularly in younger individuals, has not been thoroughly explored until now. Jeong-Yoon Lee, Department of Neurology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, and colleagues aimed to fill that gap by determining whether MetS and its individual components increase the risk of YOD, including all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD).

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a nationwide cohort study using data from the Korean National Insurance Service. The study included individuals aged 40–60 who underwent health check-ups in 2009 and were followed until age 65 or December 31, 2020. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined based on waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol. The study also considered factors like age, sex, income, smoking, alcohol use, and comorbidities.

The primary outcome was all-cause young-onset dementia, with secondary outcomes of young-onset Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using multivariable Cox regression.

The study revealed the following findings:

• A total of 1,979,509 participants were included in the study, with a mean age of 49.0 years; 51.3% were men, and 50.7% had metabolic syndrome (MetS).
• Over an average follow-up period of 7.75 years, 8,921 individuals (0.45%) developed young-onset dementia.
• MetS was associated with a 24% higher risk of all-cause YOD (adjusted HR 1.24).
• MetS was linked to a 12.4% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (HR 1.12).
• MetS was associated with a 20.9% increased risk of vascular dementia (VaD) (HR 1.21).
• Significant interactions were observed with younger age (40–49 vs 50–59), female sex, drinking status, obesity, and depression.

In this large Korean cohort study, the authors found that metabolic syndrome and its individual components were significantly associated with an increased risk of young-onset dementia.

The findings suggest that targeting MetS through early interventions may help mitigate the risk of developing YOD. However, the authors caution that the study’s observational design limits the ability to draw definitive causal conclusions, and the reliance on claims data may introduce potential misclassification bias. The authors recommend further research using longitudinal designs and comprehensive data collection to validate and expand upon these associations.

Reference:

Lee J-Y et al “Association between metabolic syndrome and young-onset dementia: a nationwide population-based study” Neurology 2025; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000213599.

The study showed that women aged 25 and older, especially those above 35 and those with pre-existing comorbidities (OR 1.51–1.79) were more likely to develop PUR. Conditions such as fluid and electrolyte imbalances (OR 2.46), paralysis (OR 3.24), and recent weight loss (OR 2.34) further elevated the risk.

“Key contributing complications included catheter placement (OR 22.57), bladder and renal injuries (OR 6.12), renal failure (OR 4.74), and puerperal infections (OR 3.31). On the other hand, a history of prior CS and undergoing low cervical cesarean deliveries appeared to reduce the risk, indicating a potential protective effect,” the researchers reported in BMC Women’s Health.

Jian Wang from Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China, and colleagues conducted the study. Their goal was to assess risk factors for PUR after cesarean delivery and evaluate associated morbidity using a population-based retrospective case-control design.

For this purpose, the team analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample (2010–2019), categorizing women based on whether they experienced PUR post-CS. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors, adjusting for maternal demographics and clinical variables.

Key findings included:

• Analysis of 2,397,168 cesarean deliveries from the NIS database.
• PUR incidence stood at 0.20%.
• Affected patients had longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and more complications.
• The risk was elevated in women aged ≥25, particularly ≥35.
• Asian and Pacific Islander women had a higher PUR risk.
• One or more comorbidities significantly increased the likelihood.
• Deliveries at large, teaching or Eastern hospitals were more prone to PUR.
• Coagulation disorders, electrolyte disturbances, neurological issues, paralysis, and recent weight loss were notable risk factors.
• PUR was linked to complications such as bladder or ureteral injury, acute renal failure, respiratory failure, endometritis, hemorrhage, uterine rupture, hysterectomy, peritonitis, puerperal infections, and chorioamnionitis.
• Obstetric factors like cephalopelvic disproportion, fetal malposition, placenta previa, multiple gestation, and abnormal bladder anatomy raised the risk.
• Bladder catheter placement and IV infusion were strongly associated with PUR, with catheter use showing the highest odds.
• Conversely, previous CS, low cervical CS, and cord prolapse were associated with reduced PUR risk.

The authors concluded that PUR is relatively uncommon, however, it carries significant clinical implications. They stressed the need for antenatal screening to identify high-risk patients and advocated for an elective over emergency CS when feasible.

“Early intervention during the antenatal and postnatal periods could help mitigate the risk and improve patient outcomes,” they wrote.

Reference:

Zhang, F., Huang, J., Huang, X. et al. Incidence and risk factors of postpartum urinary retention following cesarean section: a retrospective nationwide inpatient sample database study. BMC Women’s Health 25, 180 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03728-w