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Chicago, February 16, 2025 – A groundbreaking study has found that artificial sweeteners like aspartame may have a direct impact on heart function, potentially contributing to heart failure. The research, conducted by a team from the University of Chicago, suggests that much like the tongue perceives sweetness, the human heart also possesses “sweet taste” receptors that can respond to artificial sweeteners.
The study, presented at the 69th Biophysical Society Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, revealed that heart muscle cells feature the receptors TAS1R2 and TAS1R3, which are stimulated by sweet substances. This stimulation was found to modulate heart rhythms and, in some cases, cause irregular heartbeats.
Artificial Sweeteners and Heart Function
To better understand this phenomenon, the research team exposed both human and mouse heart cells to aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener. The findings indicated that the stimulation of these receptors led to an increase in heart muscle contraction and accelerated calcium handling—key processes essential for maintaining a steady and healthy heartbeat.
“After you eat a meal, your heart rate and blood pressure naturally increase,” explained Micah Yoder, a graduate student at Loyola University Chicago. “Previously, this was thought to be controlled mainly by neural signals. However, we propose that there is also a direct mechanism where sweet taste receptors on heart muscle cells respond to spikes in blood sugar, altering the heartbeat.”
Potential Implications for Heart Disease
One of the study’s most significant findings was the presence of a greater number of sweet taste receptors in the hearts of patients suffering from heart failure. This observation suggests a possible link between the overactivation of these receptors and the progression of heart disease.
Moreover, the study may help explain why high consumption of artificially sweetened beverages has been associated with arrhythmogenesis, or irregular heartbeats. The researchers noted that overstimulation of sweet taste receptors could lead to an increase in arrhythmic-like behavior in heart cells, raising concerns about the long-term health effects of artificial sweeteners.
Call for Further Research
The team emphasized the need for additional studies to fully understand the long-term impact of these receptors on heart function and how they might be targeted to develop new treatments for heart failure.
“These findings open new doors in cardiovascular research,” Yoder added. “If we can determine how to regulate these receptors properly, we may be able to develop therapies that strengthen the heart in patients with heart failure.”
Disclaimer:
This study is still in its early stages and has yet to be extensively tested in clinical settings. The findings should not be used to make medical decisions without consulting a healthcare professional. Artificial sweeteners are approved by regulatory bodies as safe for consumption in moderate amounts, and further research is required to confirm these potential risks.
