Aspartame, the Artificial Sweetener,
Linked to Atherosclerosis and Other Cardiovascular Diseases
A study has found that aspartame not only raises insulin levels but can also cause cardiovascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis. Pixabay
Studies on the side effects of the artificial sweetener aspartame, which is used instead of sugar in "zero sugar" beverages, have been continuously published. Aspartame, which is 200 times sweeter than sugar but low in calories, sparking the 'zero beverage' craze, has been found to not only raise insulin levels but also potentially cause cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. There are also claims that it is directly linked to brain health.
According to research by Professor Yi-Hui Chao's team at Karolinska Institute in Sweden on the 23rd, mice fed with food containing aspartame developed larger and more fat plaques in their arteries compared to mice that did not consume it. This research was published in the international scientific journal Cell Metabolism.
The mice were fed food containing 0.15% aspartame daily for 12 weeks. This amount is equivalent to a human consuming three cans of zero-calorie soda daily. When plaques accumulate in the arteries, they narrow the arteries, causing sclerosis and potentially leading to cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation levels, a characteristic of worsening cardiovascular health, were also higher. Insulin levels rose sharply as well.
The research team suggested, "Aspartame, which is 200 times sweeter than sugar, appears to deceive sweet taste receptors, inducing the secretion of more insulin." Due to the characteristics of sweet taste receptors present not only in the mouth but also in the intestines, the rise in insulin levels was more pronounced than previously predicted.
The team explained, "Aspartame raises insulin levels in animals, causing atherosclerosis and increasing inflammation over time, which can heighten the risks of heart attacks and strokes." They added, "Artificial sweeteners have penetrated almost all types of food, so it is necessary to understand their long-term effects on health," and "We plan to verify these findings in human subjects in the future."
The New York Post in the United States also reported last month on studies about the side effects of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. It pointed out that "beverages sweetened with aspartame are harmful to gut bacteria. The gut and brain are strongly connected," and that it may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
It also noted, "Patients who continuously consumed diet drinks containing aspartame experienced severe migraines, but their symptoms significantly improved after switching to a diet without aspartame," suggesting that "aspartame can trigger serious neurological reactions."
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