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Aspartame – a controversial sweetener – is used in Diet Coke
Research suggests that artificial sweeteners found in Diet Coke and other non-alcoholic beverages may damage intestinal bacteria.
Scientists have discovered that six sweeteners – all approved for use in food and beverages in the United States and the European Union – were toxic to intestinal microbes.
Among them was the controversial aspartame, which has been at the center of critical reports dating back several decades. It is used in Diet Coke.
Israeli and Singaporean researchers have warned that the results offer "further evidence" that artificial sweeteners can harm health.
A healthy gut microbiome has been associated with many factors: improved hormonal regulation, nutrient absorption, digestion and immune system function.
In addition to aspartame, scientists also evaluated sucralose, saccharin, neotame, advantame and acesulfame potassium-k.
Ten sports supplements containing these sweeteners were also analyzed for the study, published in the journal Molecules.
The study was led by a team from Ben Gurion Negev University and Nanyang Technological University of Singapore.
During their laboratory test, the six sweeteners were exposed to bacteria that are commonly found in the intestine.
These bacteria have been genetically engineered to contain fluorescent compounds that shine when they detect toxins.
The researchers found that toxins are released when intestinal bacteria are exposed to artificial sweeteners in the laboratory.
It only took one mg / ml of artificial sweeteners to make the bacteria poisonous.
And the higher the amount of artificial sweetener, the greater the number of toxins released, according to the team led by Professor Ariel Kushmaro.
"This is further evidence that the consumption of artificial sweeteners negatively affects the microbial activity of the gut which can cause a wide range of health problems.
"The results of this study could help understand the relative toxicity of artificial sweeteners and the potential for negative effects on the intestinal microbial community."
Diet drinks make up a quarter of the sweetened drinks market, but it is becoming increasingly clear that they are not as healthy as previously thought.
Although marketed as an alternative to sugary food-friendly beverages, scientists say that they should no longer be considered a healthier alternative.
Artificial sweeteners have often been associated with obesity, cancer, type 2 diabetes, migraines and even liver toxicity.
Sweeteners also appear to be environmental pollutants because of their resistance to wastewater treatment processes.
Professor Kushmaro added that the results could also help detect the damage caused by artificial sweeteners to the environment.
Aspartame is imposed as an important component of many foods and drinks without sugar and low in calories.
It is consumed by more than 200 million people worldwide and is found in more than 6,000 products, it was reported in 2015.
These include non-alcoholic soft drinks, non-alcoholic powdered beverages, chewing gum, dessert mixes, puddings and toppings as well as some sugar-free vitamins and candies.
Aspartame is a nutritious sweetener made by linking two amino acids, L-phenylalanine and L-aspartic acid, to a third component called methyl ester group.
It takes very little to get a sweet taste, making the aspartame practically non-caloric. It is thought that it is 200 times sweeter than sucrose.
More people may opt for artificially sweetened drinks after the introduction of a sugar tax on soft drinks in the UK on 6 April.
Beverages containing more than 8 g of sugar per 100 ml are taxed at 24 pence per liter. Those containing 5 to 8 g of sugar per 100 ml are subject to a reduced tax rate of 18 pence per liter.
Many beverage manufacturers have reduced the amount of sugar in their drinks in order to evade the tax.
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