A new study has made a concerning discovery about one of the newest artificial sweeteners on the market—neotame. Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University have found that this highly potent sweetener is capable of damaging the human intestine and causing serious health issues.
The study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, demonstrates that neotame can lead to the deterioration of otherwise healthy gut bacteria, causing them to become diseased and invade the gut wall. This can potentially result in a range of health problems, including irritable bowel syndrome and sepsis.
The researchers also found that neotame can directly damage the epithelial barrier, which is a crucial component of the gut wall. This breakdown of the epithelial layer can further contribute to poor gut health and potentially lead to metabolic and inflammatory diseases, such as irritable bowel disease or insulin resistance.
"This new research into neotame builds on our previous work, which discovered that other widely used artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin, sucralose, and aspartame, can also cause similar damage in the gut," said Havovi Chichger, senior author of the study.
The in vitro study revealed a range of concerning responses from E. coli and E. faecalis, two common gut bacteria, when exposed to neotame. These included the formation of biofilms and increased adhesion to and invasion of cells by the diseased bacteria.
"Understanding the impact of these pathogenic changes occurring in the gut microbiota is vital," said Dr. Chichger. "Our findings demonstrate the need to better understand the potential negative health impacts of common food additives, including the newer generation of artificial sweeteners like neotame."