The way the way aspartame is associated with cardiovascular diseases: cause brusks releases of insulin that lead to atherosclerosis.
Artificial sweeteners such as those present in sugar -free drinks have been connected by several studies to an increased risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems. But how do they impact on metabolism and circulation? According to a study published on Cell Metabolism theaspartameone of the most common substitutes of sugar, It has a negative impact on the health of the blood vessels, an effect mediated by the insulin hormone.
Based on the research, conducted on mice, a diet rich in aspartame produces an increase in insulin in the blood which in turn affects the arteries and increases in them the accumulation of cholesterol plaques.
Sweet insalubre. A group of scientists led by Yihai Cao, an expert in chronic diseases related to disturbances of the blood vessels of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, has nourished some mice With daily doses of food seasoned with aspartame until you reach the equivalent of the sweetener taken with three drinks diet per day. After 12 weeks of this diet, mice showed a greater number of fat plates in the arteries, and larger in size. In addition, their arteries were shown more inflamed.
Chain reactions. The blood tests of the rodents showed that at each meal seasoned with the sweetener corresponded, shortly thereafter, A decisive release of insulin: not a surprise, given that the entire digestive system is covered with sensitive receptors to the cake, which guide the release of the hormone; But the aspartame, 200 times sweeter than sugar, has solicited a more abundant release. And insulin in turn seemed to feed the accumulation of plates in the arteries, therefore, resulting The missing ring Between consumption of drinks with aspartame and bad cardiovascular health. Yes, but how does the hormone favor atherosclerosis, that is, the damage extended to the arteries?
Baits for white blood cells. The researchers identified an immune signal called CX3CL1 which is active especially under the stimulation of insulin and which remains, unlike many other chemicals swept away by blood circulation, glued to the internal surface of the arteries, from where the passage immune cells captures. These cells increase the inflammation of the vessels.
Useful goal for man. By eliminating the CX3CL1 signal receptors, the accumulation of plates has not occurred. An observation that encourages to deepen the possibility of using this signal as possible therapeutic target For cardiovascular diseases but also for other conditions that have to do with the inflammation of the vessels, such as those that lead to strokes, arthritis or diabetes.
