A new study by researchers at Florida State University suggests that one artificial sweetener may result in heritable complications when consumed.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that male mice that consumed aspartame yielded offspring with memory and learning problems, indicating that ingestion of the zero-calorie sweetener may alter their sperm’s genetic code.
How Aspartame Affects Male Mice
To test the heritable neurological effects, scientists first divided male adult mice into three groups: a control group given plain water, a group given water with an aspartame concentration of 0.015 percent (the mouse equivalent of a human drinking two 8-ounce cans of diet soda), and a group that ingested water with an aspartame concentration of 0.03 percent (four 8-ounce cans).
Mary Gillis
Author
Mary Elizabeth Gillis is a health reporter and cardiopulmonary specialist with over a decade of experience. After graduating with her doctorate in applied physiology, she earned a master of science degree in journalism from Columbia University.
