Does Aspartame Fuel Anxiety?

Aspartame, an artificial sweetener commonly found in diet drinks and food, may raise the risk for anxiety.

In a new preclinical study at Florida State University, investigators observed mice that drank water containing aspartame exhibited pronounced anxiety-life behaviors in a variety of tests.

This behavior occurred at aspartame doses equivalent to less than 15 percent of the maximum daily human intake recommend by the FDA.

Exposing mice to aspartame also produced changes in the expression of genes regulating excitation-inhibition balance in the amygdala, a brain region that regulates anxiety and fear.

Not only did the mice receiving the aspartame show these behaviors, but the next two generations did as well.

The study suggests that aspartame consumption at doses below the FDA recommended maximum daily intake may produce neurobehavioral changes in aspartame-consuming individuals and their descendants. They noted “human population at risk of aspartame’s potential mental health effects may be larger than current expectations.”

The FSU study joins several others that discount the long-held notion that aspartame and other nonnutritive sweeteners have no effect on the body.

As reported by Medscape Medical News, in a recent study researchers found that these sugar substitutes are not metabolically inert and can alter the gut microbiome in a way that can influence blood glucose levels.

Artificial sweeteners have also been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Source: Medscape

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.