The study shows the dangers of artificial sweeteners on the gut microbiota

A new study sheds light on the real dangers of artificial sweeteners on human health by showing that these ingredients have a significant effect on the gut microbiota. Artificial sweeteners affect healthy gut bacteria. The latter, with illness, invades the intestinal wall and causes serious health problems.

This new study on two types of gut bacteria, e. Was the first to show the pathogenic effects of some widely used synthetic sweeteners called coli (saccharin, sucrose and aspartame).Escherichia coli) And E. fecalis (Enterococcus faecalis). Details were published in the journal International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Previous studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can alter the number and type of bacteria in the gut, but this new molecular research, led by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), has shown that sweeteners can also be bactericidal. These pathogenic bacteria can attach, attack and kill vital epithelial cells that line the lining of the gut, cocoa-2 cells.

Increased resistance to antibiotics

Such as bacteria E. fecalis, It scratches the intestinal wall, goes into the bloodstream and collects in the lymph nodes, liver and spleen, causing many infections, including sepsis.

This new study found that at a concentration equal to two cans of diet soda, the three synthetic sweeteners mentioned were significantly stickyE. Coli And d ‘E. fecalis Differentiates intestinal cocoa-2 cells, and differentiates the formation of bacterial biofilms.

Bacteria that grow in biofilms are less sensitive to treatments (antibiotics) and are more likely to secrete toxins and express viral factors, which are the molecules that cause various diseases. In addition, the three sweeteners tested showed that pathogenic gut bacteria caused the Coco-2 cells on the gut wall to attack, with the exception of saccharin, which had no significant effect on the attack. E. Coli.

« While there are many concerns about taking artificial sweeteners, some studies show that sweeteners affect the bacterial layer that supports the gut called the gut microbiota. Said Dr. Hawoi Chichger, lead author of the study and lecturer in biomedical sciences at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU).

« These changes cause our own gut bacteria to invade and damage our gut, leading to infection, sepsis or multiple organ failure. We know that high sugar intake is a major factor in the development of pathologies such as obesity and diabetes. It is therefore important to further enhance our knowledge of sweeteners regarding sugars in the diet in order to better understand their impact on our health. », He concluded.

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences