Unexpected Side Effect of Popular Sugar Substitute Discovered 0 6

Long-term consumption of aspartame may reduce fat deposits but simultaneously negatively affect the heart and cognitive functions — even at doses significantly below permissible levels. This conclusion was reached by researchers who published the results of a year-long experiment on mice in the journal Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (B&P).

For a year, scientists administered aspartame to the animals at a dose equivalent to only one-sixth of the maximum allowed for humans. As a result, the fat mass in the mice decreased by about 20 percent; however, this effect was accompanied by moderate heart hypertrophy and deterioration in cognitive performance. The researchers emphasize that such changes occurred at a consumption level comparable to a typical diet, raising questions about the safety of long-term use of artificial sweeteners.

The authors note that this is one of the first studies evaluating the effects of aspartame over a full year using a wide range of methods — from MRI and PET to behavioral tests. In their opinion, the data obtained indicate the need for a more cautious and critical assessment of the regular use of sweeteners, even if they are used 'within the norm.'