Artificial Sweeteners May Directly Affect Heart Muscle, Study Finds

Sweet taste receptors in the heart could be the link between sweetened beverages and heart problems.
Artificial Sweeteners May Directly Affect Heart Muscle, Study Finds
SabOlga/Shutterstock
|Updated:

Scientists have discovered “sweet taste” receptors in the heart that respond to artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. This could potentially explain the long-observed link between sweetened beverages and heart problems.

The findings of the study, conducted by Loyola University researchers, were presented at the Biophysical Society’s 69th annual meeting in Los Angeles from Feb. 15 to 19.
George Citroner
George Citroner
Author
George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.