Mice that received the sweetener also had higher blood sugar than those without aspartame. However, mice on a high-fat diet that received aspartame gained more weight than mice that did not receive aspartame. Researchers also injected saline solution in bowel segments, but IAP activity remained the same.Īt the end of the 18-week period, there was no significant difference between the weights of the two groups that were fed a regular diet. Researchers injected aspartame into the mice’s small intestines, where IAP is normally produced. Hodin and team found that IAP activity was reduced when it was added to a drink containing aspartame, but IAP levels remained the same when IAP was added to a drink containing sugar. The group that was on a high-fat diet received aspartame in doses the equivalent to almost two cans of diet soda.ĭr. The normal-diet group that received aspartame consumed the equivalent of 3 ½ cans of diet soda every day. The other two groups were put on a high-fat diet, with one group getting plain water and the other getting water with aspartame. Two groups were put on a normal diet, with one group receiving drinking water with aspartame and the other just plain water. They found that IAP can prevent the onset of metabolic syndrome, as well as reduce the symptoms in animals that already had the condition.īased on this known relationship between IAP, phenylalanine, and aspartame, researchers hypothesized that consuming aspartame may promote metabolic syndrome because of its inhibition of IAP.įor the study, researchers added aspartame to diet and regular soda, before measuring IAP activity in mice. Hodin and team had conducted previous research where they fed IAP to mice that were on a high-fat diet. Metabolic syndrome is a generic name given to a group symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.ĭr. Also, there's little evidence from longer term studies to show that sweeteners cause weight gain.One of the breakdown products of aspartame is phenylalanine, an inhibitor of a gut enzyme called intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) that has been shown to prevent metabolic syndrome in mice. It's been suggested that the use of artificial sweeteners may have a stimulating effect on appetite and, therefore, may play a role in weight gain and obesity.īut research into sweeteners and appetite stimulation is inconsistent. "Like sugar, sweeteners provide a sweet taste, but what sets them apart is that, after consumption, they do not increase blood sugar levels," she says.
She also says they're a really useful alternative for people with diabetes who need to watch their blood sugar levels while still enjoying their favourite foods. Sweeteners may be safe, but are they healthy? Food manufacturers claim sweeteners help prevent tooth decay, control blood sugar levels and reduce our calorie intake.ĮFSA has approved the health claims made about xylitol, sorbitol and sucralose, among others, in relation to oral health and controlling blood sugar levels.ĭietitian Emma Carder states: "Research into sweeteners shows they're perfectly safe to eat or drink on a daily basis as part of a healthy diet."
You do not need to keep track of how much sweetener you consume each day, as our eating habits are factored in when specifying where sweeteners can be used. "Large studies looking at people have now provided strong evidence that artificial sweeteners are safe for humans," states Cancer Research UK.Īll sweeteners in the EU undergo a rigorous safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before they can be used in food and drink.Īs part of the evaluation process, the EFSA sets an acceptable daily intake (ADI), which is the maximum amount considered safe to consume each day over the course of your lifetime. Sweeteners approved for use in the UK include:īoth Cancer Research UK and the US National Cancer Institute have said sweeteners do not cause cancer. They're found in thousands of products, from drinks, desserts and ready meals, to cakes, chewing gum and toothpaste. Artificial sweeteners are low-calorie or calorie-free chemical substances used instead of sugar to sweeten foods and drinks.