Sweetened Treats & Precocious Puberty: What New Science Reveals

Frequent consumption of sweetened foods like ice cream may disrupt hormonal balance and trigger early puberty in genetically susceptible children.
Frequent consumption of sweetened foods like ice cream may disrupt hormonal balance and trigger early puberty in genetically susceptible children./Pexels 


A new large-scale study conducted by researchers at Taipei Medical University and Wan Fang Hospital in Taiwan and presented at the Endocrine Society’s 2025 annual meeting indicates a strong link between sweetener consumption and central precocious puberty (CPP) in children.

 What Did the Study Find?

  • The cohort included 1,407 teenagers, of whom 481 were diagnosed with CPP—defined as puberty before age 8 in girls or age 9 in boys .
  • Researchers analyzed dietary intake using validated food questionnaires and urinary biomarkers, while genetic predisposition was assessed via polygenic risk scores based on 19 CPP-related genes .
  • Consumption of aspartame, sucralose, glycyrrhizin (from licorice root), and added sugars significantly correlated with CPP risk—and the effect intensified in those with a genetic predisposition .

Gender-Specific Findings

The study revealed differences by sex:

  • Girls: High intake of aspartame, sucralose, glycyrrhizin, and added sugars increased CPP risk.
  • Boys: Sucralose was the most relevant sweetener linked to earlier puberty onset .

Researchers also observed a dose–response effect—higher sweetener intake corresponded with a greater risk .

 Mechanisms: Hormones & Gut Microbiome

Previous studies by the same team suggest several plausible mechanisms:

  • Acesulfame potassium (AceK) activates “sweet taste” receptors in the brain, triggering stress hormones and puberty-related signals .
  • Glycyrrhizin alters gut microbiota and downregulates genes responsible for puberty timing .

Why This Matters

Central Precocious Puberty can have lasting consequences—including emotional stress, short adult height, and increased risk of metabolic or reproductive disorders . Understanding dietary influences can inform:

  •  Family & pediatric guidance: Limiting artificial sweeteners in kids’ diets.
  • Public health policy: Potential for genetic screening and dietary recommendations.
  • Future research: Designing tailored interventions for at-risk children.

Expert Insight

“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 Dr. Yang‑Ching Chen, M.D., Ph.D., of Taipei Wang Fang Hospital and Taipei Medical University .

Final Thoughts

This observational study highlights a potential risk factor for early puberty associated with sweeteners, though causality isn’t yet established. Parents and clinicians should stay informed as the research progresses through peer review.

Location: USA

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