THURSDAY, Sept. 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Higher consumption of artificial sweeteners is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online Sept. 7 in The BMJ.

Charlotte Debras of Sorbonne Paris Nord University and colleagues conducted a prospective population-based cohort study involving 103,388 participants from the NutriNet-Santé cohort to examine associations between artificial sweeteners from all food sources and the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The researchers observed an association between the total consumption of artificial sweeteners and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (relative risk, 1.09; absolute incidence rate in consumers and higher non-consumers, 346 and 314 per 100 000 person-years, respectively). A stronger association was observed for artificial sweeteners with the risk of cerebrovascular disease (hazard ratio, 1.18; incidence rate, 195 and 150 per 100,000 person-years in heavy consumers and non-consumers, respectively). An increased risk of cerebrovascular events has been observed in association with aspartame consumption (relative risk, 1.17; incidence rates, 186 and 151 per 100,000 person-years in higher consumers and non-consumers, respectively), while acesulfame potassium and sucralose were associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease (hazard ratios, 1.40 [incidence rates, 167 and 164) and 1.31 [incidence rates, 271 and 161]respectively).

“Our results indicate that these food additives, consumed daily by millions of people and present in thousands of foods and beverages, should not be considered a healthy and safe alternative to sugar, consistent with the current position of several agencies. health,” the authors explain. write.