Think aspartame is a harmless sugar substitute? New research in Cell Metabolism says otherwise! 😳💡
🔬 Here’s what they found:
✅ Aspartame tricks your body into releasing insulin by stimulating sweet taste receptors (STRs) in the gut, activating the vagus nerve—even with zero sugar.
✅ This insulin spike fuels inflammation in blood vessels, leading to endothelial dysfunction, monocyte recruitment, and chronic vascular inflammation—a perfect storm for clogged arteries (atherosclerosis).
✅ The culprit? CX3CL1-CX3CR1 signaling, a pathway linking insulin to inflammation.
✅ Blocking this pathway completely neutralized aspartame’s harmful effects, pointing to a new therapeutic target for heart disease prevention.
🚫 Bottom line:
Just because it’s “zero-calorie” doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. If you thought artificial sweeteners were a safe bet, it’s time to rethink your choices. 🧪❌
Wu, W., et al., Sweetener aspartame aggravates atherosclerosis through insulin-triggered inflammation. Cell Metabolism, 2025.
#NutritionMatters #Aspartame #HeartHealth #SugarFreeButNotRiskFree #MetabolismScience #Atherosclerosis #GutBrainConnection
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