SWEETENERS in diet fizzy drinks increases the risk of sepsis and organ failure, scientists have discovered.
Just two cans of diet pop contain enough aspartame – an artificial sugar replacement – to cause toxic pathogens to invade the intestine.
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Experts at Anglia Ruskin University found sweeteners saccharin and sucralose, found in dozens of supermarket products including chewing gum and “low-carb” snacks, had the same effect.
Dr Havovi Chichger, of Anglia Ruskin University, said: “Our study is the first to show that some sweeteners most commonly found in food and drink can make normal, healthy gut bacteria become pathogenic.
“These changes could lead to our own gut bacteria invading and causing damage to our intestine, which can be linked to infection, sepsis and multiple-organ failure.
“We know that over-consumption of sugar is a major factor in the development of conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
“It is important that we increase our knowledge of sweeteners to better understand the impact on our health.”
The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, found the sweeteners caused healthy gut bacteria to form “biofilms”, making them more likely to secrete toxins and disease-causing molecules.
They also caused the pathogenic gut bacteria to invade cells in the wall of the intestine, and the biofilms made the bacteria more resistant to antibiotics.
Such poisoning can lead to septicaemia and organ failure.
BITTERSWEET
Studies have previously shown that drinking beverages like this with artificial sweeteners can increase your risk of gaining weight.
One study, published in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports, warned that they may be contributing to type 2 diabetes.
Low calorie sweeteners are used in place of sucrose, glucose and fructose and have an intense sweet flavour without the calories.
Artificially sweetened beverages (ASB) are also linked with increased risks of death and cardiovascular disease, and strokes and dementia among older people, but it is not clear why.
Last year we told how the Renegade Pharmacist explained after just ten minutes of drinking a low calorie drink, your taste buds are tricked and the enamel on your teeth is attacked.
The acid attacks your teeth and experts say that this helps chip away at the enamel on the surface.
Drinking a third of a fizzy drink a day increases the risk of breast cancer by 22 per cent, another study showed.
Experts found that just 100ml of sugary drink could raise your risk of cancer by 18 per cent – a typical can is around 330ml.
