Medical validation:
October 19, 2022
According to a new study published in the British Medical Journal, these “fake sugars” may be associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease.
Sweeteners – these famous artificial “fake sugars” found in many foods and drinks – would be accused according to a new study of promoting cardiovascular disorders. Aspartame, acesulfame-K and sucralose would be at the top.
1502 cardiovascular incidents
To reach these conclusions, researchers in nutritional epidemiology (EREN) used health and sweetener consumption data from 103,388 French adults participating in the NutriNet-Santé cohort study.
In total, more than a third of the participants consumed 42.46 mg/day of sweeteners, equivalent to a single packet of table-top sweetener.
Their cardiovascular health was also closely observed. Over nine years of monitoring and testing, the research team recorded nearly 1,502 cardiovascular incidents: heart attacks, angina pectoris, angioplasties, strokes, etc.
For the researchers, there is no doubt: the artificial sweeteners tested during the study – aspartame, acesulfame-K and sucralose – were associated with increased risks of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and coronary diseases.
” In agreement with several other epidemiological studies on sweetened beverages, sweeteners, food additives used in many foods and drinks, could represent an increased risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. “, notes Charlotte Debras, doctoral student and first author of the study.
This is why the consumption of sweeteners should be avoided.
” These findings, consistent with the latest WHO report published this year, do not support the use of sweeteners as safe alternatives to sugar. concludes Dr. Mathilde Touvier, research director at Inserm and coordinator of the study.
Further research is needed
According to the authors, no study had previously focused on these different sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame-K, sucralose) and their effects on the heart.
Nevertheless, further research is needed to confirm these initial results, as the study in question would have limitations.
This ” observational study cannot answer the question posed ” Due to ” major differences in many characteristics of people who consume artificial sweeteners compared to those who do not “, detailed the professor of medicine of metabolic diseases at the University of Glasgow, with the Science Media Center Naveed Sattar.