Artificial sweeteners like aspartame have long been marketed as a guilt-free alternative to sugar, but new research suggests they may be more damaging than initially thought. A study published in Cell Metabolism found that aspartame can trigger insulin spikes and inflammation in blood vessels, leading to the buildup of fatty plaque in arteries.
The researchers, led by senior author Yihai Cao, fed mice a diet containing 0.15% aspartame for 12 weeks and observed significant changes. Compared to mice without aspartame, those with the sweetener had larger and more fatty plaques in their arteries and higher levels of inflammation.
The study revealed that aspartame’s sweetness triggers the release of insulin, which then fuels the growth of these plaque buildups. The researchers identified a key immune signal called CX3CL1 that plays a crucial role in this process.
The findings suggest that artificial sweeteners like aspartame may have long-term health implications beyond cardiovascular disease, including stroke and diabetes. Cao’s team plans to verify their results in humans and explore potential therapeutic targets for these conditions.
The study’s lead author notes that “Artificial sweeteners have penetrated almost all kinds of food,” highlighting the need for further research on their impact on human health.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-artificial-sweetener-triggers-insulin-spike.html