For those interested there has been a recent published study on the artificial sweetener Aspartame. The article highlights a link between aspartame and atherosclerosis. The study suggests that this sweetener triggers insulin resistance and inflammation by disrupting metabolic processes which leads to an increase in insulin levels.
I wondered how an artificial sweetener, which is not a sugar and has no calories, can cause insulin secretion. Well, apparently it influences the pancreas to secrete insulin through taste perception and metabolic signalling. I didn’t know this, but there are taste receptors in the pancreas and other organs as well as in your mouth. So when we eat aspartame (I don’t as it gives me IBS) it activates sweet taste receptors in the gut and pancreas. This apparently mimics the presence of sugar. As a result, the pancreas may release insulin in anticipation of a glucose load, a phenomenon known as cephalic phase insulin release. Who knew. So this in turn increases insulin resistance and inflammation.
I wondered whether cephalic phase insulin release is the same as the initial first phase insulin release after eating a meal. It isn’t. cephalic phase insulin release is stimulated by the sight and smell of food before eating.
In short, aspartame appears to trick the body into thinking we have consumed sugar, leading to insulin secretion by the pancreas. This can then add to insulin resistance, inflammation, and the progression of atherosclerosis. Obviously I have just summarized the article and most definitely didn’t do it justice, but if you want to read more I have attached a link to the study.
https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(25)00006-3
I wondered how an artificial sweetener, which is not a sugar and has no calories, can cause insulin secretion. Well, apparently it influences the pancreas to secrete insulin through taste perception and metabolic signalling. I didn’t know this, but there are taste receptors in the pancreas and other organs as well as in your mouth. So when we eat aspartame (I don’t as it gives me IBS) it activates sweet taste receptors in the gut and pancreas. This apparently mimics the presence of sugar. As a result, the pancreas may release insulin in anticipation of a glucose load, a phenomenon known as cephalic phase insulin release. Who knew. So this in turn increases insulin resistance and inflammation.
I wondered whether cephalic phase insulin release is the same as the initial first phase insulin release after eating a meal. It isn’t. cephalic phase insulin release is stimulated by the sight and smell of food before eating.
In short, aspartame appears to trick the body into thinking we have consumed sugar, leading to insulin secretion by the pancreas. This can then add to insulin resistance, inflammation, and the progression of atherosclerosis. Obviously I have just summarized the article and most definitely didn’t do it justice, but if you want to read more I have attached a link to the study.
https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(25)00006-3
