A new study has revealed that one of the most popular sugar substitutes can increase insulin levels potentially increasing their risk of heart attacks and stroke over time.
The study conducted by a team of Swedish researchers found that sugar substitutes, aspartame, — found in diet drinks, chewing gum and low-sugar yogurt — raises insulin levels in animals.
“One of my students was sipping on this sugar-free drink, and I said, ‘Why don’t you look into that?’” recalled senior study author Yihai Cao, who studies chronic diseases related to blood vessel disorders at the Karolinska Institute.
According to a report by New York Post, some research has suggested that long-term use of artificial sweeteners may heighten the risk of stroke, heart disease and even premature death.
With this study, Cao’s team wanted to explore exactly how the sugar substitute aspartame might cause harm.
Aspartame is sold under the brand names Nutrasweet, Equal and Sugar Twin and it is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. In 2023, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
“Because blood flow through the artery is strong and robust, most chemicals would be quickly washed away as the heart pumps,” Cao said as quoted by New York Post. “Surprisingly, not CX3CL1. It stays glued to the surface of the inner lining of blood vessels. There, it acts like a bait, catching immune cells as they pass by.”
The findings of the study were published in the journal Cell Metabolism.
The researchers also emphasised that if you are diabetic and find you have trouble avoiding sugary beverages, consider the sweeteners allulose, monk fruit and stevia without erythritol, a commonly used artificial sweetener that has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.