We already knew the link between sweeteners and the risk of developing cancer. In order to assess the risk associated with these products, researchers analyzed the health and sweetener consumption data of 102,865 French adults participating in the NutriNet-Santé cohort study. The results of these statistical analyzes suggest an association between the consumption of sweeteners and an increased risk of cancer.
We also knew the correlation between the sweeteners present in light drinks and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Now, a study confirms that all of these alternatives to sugar, widely used by the food industry, increase the risk of contracting these pathologies.
A much higher incidence among consumers of sweeteners
A team of researchers from the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), the National Institute of Agronomic Research (Inrae), the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts (Cnam) and the Sorbonne Paris Nord University, within the Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN) analyzed data from a very large cohort, called NutriNet-Santé.
So they have dissected the eating habits of 103,388 adults study participants. And according to Mathilde Touvier, research director at Inserm and coordinator of the study, consuming these sweeteners does indeed increase the risk of contracting cardiovascular disease. “Out of more than 100,000 people followed, there is an incidence of cardiovascular pathologies of 346 cases in the highest consumers of sweeteners against 314 in those who consumed almost none”explains the researcher in nutritional epidemiology.
Regarding the types of sweeteners, l’aspartame (found in sweets and light drinks) was more closely associated with risk of cerebrovascular disease et acesulfame-K and sucralose (present in compotes, low-fat yoghurts and sweets) risk of coronary heart disease.
“Getting younger generations used to consuming less sugar”
Mathilde Touvier believes that you have to get used to consuming less sugar overall. “We must both reduce the intake of sugar, sugary drinks and also not turn to sweeteners as alternatives and try to get rid of an overly pronounced sweet taste in our diet”she recommends.
And to drive the point home: “And above all, we must do everything not to accustom the younger generations to this sweet taste, we must adopt good habits from an early age.” New research will be launched to confirm these results and then allow the public authorities to better regulate the consumption of these sweeteners.