Fluoride in drinking water has no effect on IQ or brain function, long-term study shows
Fluoride in drinking water has no effect on IQ or brain function, long-term study shows
twin-cities.umn.edu
Fluoride in drinking water does not harm children’s IQ
Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that has been shown to strengthen teeth and reduce cavities.
The study, published in PNAS, examined Wisconsin state testing records, archival information about when Wisconsin cities began to fluoridate their water, and data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, which has followed a random sample of 10,317 high school seniors from 1957 through 2026. Key findings include:
- There is no evidence supporting a connection between community water fluoridation and children’s IQ.
- There is also no evidence supporting a connection between community water fluoridation and cognitive functioning at various points later in life.
- Findings confirm evidence published in previous research which also used a national sample, but considered school achievement test scores instead of actual IQ scores.