The liver's ability to detoxify has been found to be impaired by artificial sweeteners, according to a new study.
The liver's ability to detoxify has been found to be impaired by artificial sweeteners, according to a new study.
Updated on April 09, 2022 15:23 PM by Ava Sara
According to a new study
According to a new study, choosing a 'diet' soda over the regular one may not be the health-conscious option that many people feel it is. Artificial sweeteners, which are used to replace sugar in many foods, have been discovered to harm some liver functions, according to researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Acesulfame potassium, also known as Ace-K, and sucralose have both been reported to affect the liver's ability to detoxify and handle medications correctly.
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'zero sugar' products
While aspartame, the most well-known and widely used artificial sweetener, was not included in the study, the findings have significant implications for millions of Americans who regularly use diet sodas and other 'zero sugar' products. 'We found that sweeteners affected PGP activity in liver cells at quantities found in everyday foods and beverages, well below the FDA's suggested maximum limits,' stated Dr. Stephanie Olivier Van Stichelen, a member of the research team.'To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to identify the molecular mechanism by which non-nutritive sweeteners affect liver detoxification.'
Experimental Biology 2022 Meeting
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology convened its Experimental Biology 2022 Meeting this week in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where researchers presented their findings. They conducted the study in a lab setting, where they examined the effects of the sweeteners on liver cells. helps the body rid itself of toxins, which were suppressed by both types of artificial sweeteners. It also aids in the body's medication processing, as the proteins influence how the liver metabolizes medications. Researchers caution that their findings are still in the early stages of research and that these sweeteners cannot be rejected. As the research was conducted in a lab rather than on humans, it is still too early to draw broad conclusions.
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artificial sweeteners
Many Americans who consume goods containing artificial sweeteners continue to be concerned, especially when they are often regarded as a healthier alternative to other foods. Aspartame is used in many artificially sweetened foods, and while it's controversial, the FDA has ruled it safe. Diet Coca-Cola, for example, employs aspartame as a sweetener, while its main competitor, Diet Pepsi, uses sucralose. In some of its fruit-flavored products, ace-K, which Diet Coke includes, is thought to be the most harmful of the sweeteners.
Chronic inflammation
Significant changes in a person's gut microbiome have been linked to the chemical sweetener, leading to chronic inflammation. There are also questionable links between the chemical and alterations in brain function. However, scientists are wary of concluding until additional evidence is available.