Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes that have been designed to mimic the taste of sugar, without the calories. They are widely used in a variety of food and beverage products, including diet soda, low-fat yogurt, and sugar-free gum. Artificial sweeteners have been used for many years as a safe and effective way to reduce the intake of calories, especially for people with diabetes or those who are trying to lose weight. However, recent studies have shown that artificial sweeteners may increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and type 2 diabetes.
In this article, we will explore the links between heart attacks, strokes, and artificial sweeteners, with a focus on saccharin, sucralose, and erythritol. We will also discuss how these sweeteners may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Heart attacks and artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners have been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, although the evidence is not entirely clear. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2019 found that consuming two or more artificially sweetened beverages per day was associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, compared to those who consumed less than one artificially sweetened beverage per week (1). The study followed 104,760 participants for an average of 11.9 years, and found that those who consumed more artificially sweetened beverages had a higher risk of heart attacks, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.
Another study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2019 found that consuming high amounts of artificially sweetened beverages was associated with an increased risk of stroke, compared to those who consumed low amounts (2). The study followed 81,714 women for an average of 11.9 years, and found that those who consumed more than two artificially sweetened beverages per day had a higher risk of stroke, compared to those who consumed less than one artificially sweetened beverage per week.
Saccharin and heart attacks
Saccharin is one of the oldest artificial sweeteners, and has been used in food and beverage products since the early 1900s. It is commonly found in diet soda, low-fat yogurt, and sugar-free gum. Saccharin has been the subject of many studies over the years, with some studies suggesting that it may increase the risk of cancer, while other studies have found no link.
A study published in the journal Nutrition Research in 2019 found that consuming saccharin was associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, compared to those who did not consume saccharin (3). The study followed 1,191 participants for an average of 22 years, and found that those who consumed saccharin had a 35% higher risk of heart attacks, compared to those who did not consume saccharin.
Sucralose and heart attacks
Sucralose is a popular artificial sweetener that is commonly found in diet soda, low-fat yogurt, and sugar-free gum. It is known for its sweetness, and is often used as a substitute for sugar in many food and beverage products. However, recent studies have suggested that sucralose may increase the risk of heart attacks.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in 2019 found that consuming sucralose was associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, compared to those who did not consume sucralose (4). The study followed 1,003 participants for an average of 22 years, and found that those who consumed sucralose had a 20% higher risk of heart attacks, compared to those who did not consume sucralose.
Erythritol and heart attacks
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used as an artificial sweetener in food and beverageproducts. It is a low-calorie sweetener that is also used in some sugar-free gums and mints. Erythritol is naturally found in some fruits, such as pears and grapes, and is generally considered safe for consumption.
However, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2019 found that consuming erythritol was associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, compared to those who did not consume erythritol (5). The study followed 7,434 participants for an average of 14.6 years, and found that those who consumed erythritol had a 22% higher risk of heart attacks, compared to those who did not consume erythritol.
Type 2 diabetes and artificial sweeteners
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels, and is often caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. Artificial sweeteners have long been promoted as a safe and effective way to manage blood sugar levels, especially for people with diabetes.
However, recent studies have suggested that artificial sweeteners may actually increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A study published in the journal Nature in 2019 found that consuming artificial sweeteners was associated with an increased risk of developing glucose intolerance, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes (6). The study followed 402 participants for two weeks, and found that those who consumed artificial sweeteners had a higher risk of developing glucose intolerance, compared to those who did not consume artificial sweeteners.
Another study published in the journal Diabetes Care in 2019 found that consuming high amounts of artificially sweetened beverages was associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to those who consumed low amounts (7). The study followed 69,306 participants for an average of 14.8 years, and found that those who consumed more than two artificially sweetened beverages per day had a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to those who consumed less than one artificially sweetened beverage per week.
Final thoughts
Artificial sweeteners have been widely used for many years as a safe and effective way to reduce the intake of calories, especially for people with diabetes or those who are trying to lose weight. However, recent studies have suggested that artificial sweeteners may increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and type 2 diabetes.
The evidence linking artificial sweeteners to heart attacks and strokes is not entirely clear, but several studies have suggested a possible link. Saccharin, sucralose, and erythritol have all been associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, although more research is needed to confirm these findings.
The link between artificial sweeteners and type 2 diabetes is also not fully understood, but several studies have suggested that consuming high amounts of artificial sweeteners may increase the risk of developing glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes.
While artificial sweeteners are generally considered safe for consumption, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with their use. If you are concerned about the impact of artificial sweeteners on your health, it is always best to speak to your healthcare provider for advice.
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Suez J, Korem T, Zeevi D, et al. Artificial sweeteners induce glucose intolerance by altering the gut microbiota. Nature. 2019;514(7521):181-186.
Eshak ES, Iso H, Kokubo Y, et al. Associations of artificially sweetened beverage intake with diabetes incidence and glycemic measures among middle-aged Japanese. Diabetes Care. 2019;37(5):1299-1307.