Be Alert, Consumption Of Artificial Malams Can Increase The Risk Of Heart Disease

Illustration of artificial sweeteners (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Artificial sweeteners have long been used as a low-calorie alternative to sugar. Although most contain calories, this sweetener is much sweeter than sugar, so it is only a little needed to provide the same sweet taste in foods and drinks.

Research has linked artificial sweeteners to various health problems, including digestive problems, neurological symptoms, diabetes, and heart disease.

A recent study found that in mice, aspartam can trigger a spike in insulin that causes a buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries, a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Artificial sweeteners are widely used in bread products, light drinks, candy, candy, canned food, jams, dairy products, and more, especially those marketed as sugar-free or diet products.

Six artificial sweeteners have been approved by the FDA for use in food, namely aspartam, sakarin, assulfam potassium, sukralosa, neotam, and advantam. In addition to being used in sweet and beverage foods, this sweetener is also found in many nutritious food products, such as ready-to-eat food, tomato sauce, sauce, and even bread.

One of the most frequently used artificial sweeteners is aspartam. This sweetener is 200 times sweeter than sugar, so even though it contains calories, much less is needed to give the same sweet taste.

Research has shown artificial sweeteners can have a bad effect on health, especially if consumed frequently. These sweeteners have been associated with several health conditions, including digestive system disorders, cause headaches and changes in taste, as well as increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease (CVD).

A new study investigating the aspartam effect on mice provides further evidence that this sweetener can increase the risk of heart disease and explains how this can happen. The study found that aspartam triggered a spike in insulin release, a hormone regulating blood glucose that could lead to a buildup of plaque fat, or atherosclerosis, in the arteries.

The study was published in Cell Metabolism, Christopher Yi, a vascular surgeon at the MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, who was not involved in the study.

"This research provides convincing evidence linking aspartam consumption with increased risk of atherosclerosis through an inflammatory route mediated by insulin," Christopher said, quoted by VOI from the Medical News Today page on Friday, February 21.

Researchers feed male and female mice with foods that contain 0.15% aspartam every day, equivalent to someone who consumes three cans (or about 1 liter) of soda a day for 12 weeks. They then compare these mice to groups fed without asphalam and groups fed 15% of sugar (sukrose).

Throughout the study, researchers continued to measure the levels of the mouse's insulin and assess the health of their blood vessels in the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks.

Within 30 minutes of consuming aspartam, the levels of mouse insulin increased significantly. Researchers note that this is not surprising, because there is a sweet taste detection receptor that coats the mouth, intestines, and other tissues in mice and humans.

This receptor helps to remove insulin after consuming sugar. Since aspartam is 200 times sweeter than sugar, this sweetener appears to be 'tricking' receptors to release insulin more than they should.

This increase in insulin not only occurs after consuming aspartam. Aspartam-given mice show continued high levels of insulin, which indicates that long-term consumption of this artificial sweetener can lead to insulin resistance. This significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Insulin affects many types of cells in the body, including muscle cells, fat tissue, liver, brain, and endothelial cells that coat blood vessels. The study shows that insulin resistance can cause endothelial cell dysfunctions, and this study provides further evidence to support these findings.

"This study supports the hypothesis of artificial sweeteners, especially aspartam, can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The data show that asparty triggers a spike in insulin through parasymptical activation, which causes chronic hyperinsulinemia. This in turn increases CX3CL1, an immune signal that attracts inflammatory cells, exacerbates the formation of arterial plaque," Christopher said.

Setelah 4 minggu dengan diet aspartam, rat mulai mengembangkan plak aterosclerotic di arteri mereka, yang meningkat pada minggu ke-8 dan ke-12. Pada rat yang diberi sukrosa, plak tidak berkembang hingga minggu ke-12, meskipun rat-rat ini mengalami penambahan berat badan tubuh dan fat.

Yihai Cao, senior author studying chronic diseases related to blood vessel disorders at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, said the discovery of CX3CL1 was unexpected, but could help develop more effective drugs.

"Because CX3CL1 is a transmembran protein, it will be trapped in endothelial cells that coat the inner lining of the blood vessels, so that it can capture inflammatory cells moving in the blood." Yihai said.

Yihai also explained why replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners does not reduce the risk of metabolic disorders.

"This mechanism can explain why soda standoffs diet, although avoiding sugar, still show a high risk to metabolic diseases. The increase in chronic insulin is a risk factor known for type 2 insulin and diabetes resistance, and an inflammatory response triggered by CX3CL1 could contribute to long-term heart damage," he explained.

Yihai added that he and his team plan to verify their findings on humans and emphasized the importance of knowing the long-term impact of artificial sweeteners, as they are found in so many foods and drinks.

"Based on the findings of this study, it may be suggested for individuals, especially those at risk of developing heart disease or insulin resistance to limit the consumption of artificial sweeteners. Although aspartam is approved by the FDA and is considered safe in moderate quantities, these findings highlight the potential long-term risks associated with consumption frequently." Yihai said.

This study also shows artificial sweeteners are not metabolic inert and can have a major impact on insulin and inflammation settings. Until further research on humans can confirm these findings, adopt a balanced approach, prioritize intact food and minimize artificial additives, it seems wiser.