Artificial Sweeteners: History and New Concepts on Inflammation

Since the introduction of artificial sweeteners (AS) to the North American market in the 1950s, a growing number of epidemiological and animal studies have suggested that AS may induce changes in gut bacteria and gut wall immune reactivity, which could negatively affect individuals with or susceptible to chronic inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a disorder that has been growing exponentially in westernized countries. This review summarizes the history of current FDA-approved AS and their chemical composition, metabolism, and bacterial utilization, and provides a scoping overview of the disease mechanisms associated with the induction or prevention of inflammation in IBD. We provide a general outlook on areas that have been both largely and scarcely studied, emerging concepts using silica, and describe the effects of AS on acute and chronic forms of intestinal inflammation.

BREAD FRUITS PUDDING DENGAN PEMANIS ALAMI SEBAGAI ALTERNATIF DESSERT UNTUK PASIEN DIABETES MELLITUS

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study is modify dessert for patients or people with diabetes mellitus in the form of Bread Fruit Pudding with natural sweeteners. Bread Fruit Pudding products use the main ingredients of jelly and low fat milk and fruit as a sweet taste. Pudding product development into bread fruit pudding is attempted to increase public insight regarding the importance of considering the use of sugar and changing the negative stigma of society regarding the consumption of fruit with a sweet taste. The production stage of Bread Fruits Pudding products consists of the preparation of materials and tools, the processing stage using the boiling technique (100˚C) and serving (150 grams/serving). The nutritional content of Bread Fruits Pudding is 92.7 Calories of energy; 5.3 grams of protein; 3.8 grams of fat; 12.9 grams of carbohydrates; 2.2 grams of fiber and 6.6 grams of natural sugar. The result of the preference test obtained that 78% liked the appearance and portion of the product, 56% liked the taste and 89% liked the texture. The composition of ingredients in pudding products in the community generally uses a lot of sugar or added artificial sweeteners that increase the risk of Diabetes Mellitus, Pudding product development into bread fruit pudding is efforts are made to become a solution for pudding products that are safe for consumption without any risk to health in consuming it.

Inhibitory Effects of Artificial Sweeteners on Bacterial Quorum Sensing

Despite having been tagged as safe and beneficial, recent evidence remains inconclusive regarding the status of artificial sweeteners and their putative effects on gut microbiota. Gut microorganisms are essential for the normal metabolic functions of their host. These microorganisms communicate within their community and regulate group behaviors via a molecular system termed quorum sensing (QS). In the present study, we aimed to study the effects of artificial sweeteners on this bacterial communication system. Using biosensor assays, biophysical protein characterization methods, microscale thermophoresis, swarming motility assays, growth assays, as well as molecular docking, we show that aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin have significant inhibitory actions on the Gram-negative bacteria N-acyl homoserine lactone-based (AHL) communication system. Our studies indicate that these three artificial sweeteners are not bactericidal. Protein-ligand docking and interaction profiling, using LasR as a representative participating receptor for AHL, suggest that the artificial sweeteners bind to the ligand-binding pocket of the protein, possibly interfering with the proper housing of the native ligand and thus impeding protein folding. Our findings suggest that these artificial sweeteners may affect the balance of the gut microbial community via QS-inhibition. We, therefore, infer an effect of these artificial sweeteners on numerous molecular events that are at the core of intestinal microbial function, and by extension on the host metabolism.

Artificial sweeteners stimulate horizontal transfer of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes through natural transformation

Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a global threat to human health. Natural transformation is an important pathway for horizontal gene transfer, which facilitates the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among bacteria. Although it is suspected that artificial sweeteners could exert antimicrobial effects, little is known whether artificial sweeteners would also affect horizontal transfer of ARGs via transformation. Here we demonstrate that four commonly used artificial sweeteners (saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium) promote transfer of ARGs via natural transformation in Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1, a model organism for studying competence and transformation. Such phenomenon was also found in a Gram-positive human pathogen Bacillus subtilis and mice faecal microbiome. We reveal that exposure to these sweeteners increases cell envelope permeability and results in an upregulation of genes encoding DNA uptake and translocation (Com) machinery. In addition, we find that artificial sweeteners induce an increase in plasmid persistence in transformants. We propose a mathematical model established to predict the long-term effects on transformation dynamics under exposure to these sweeteners. Collectively, our findings offer insights into natural transformation promoted by artificial sweeteners and highlight the need to evaluate these environmental contaminants for their antibiotic-like side effects.

Artificial Sweeteners and their Health Implications: A Review

Background: Sugar is an inevitable part of our diet. Since ages, sweeteners have been used to enhance the flavour and appearance of food products. Sweeteners may be natural or synthetically produced. Those that are synthetic, as a whole, are referred to as artificial sweeteners. This review aims at highlighting the characteristics and health implications of artificial sweeteners. Methodology: In this review, the physical and chemical characteristics of artificial sweeteners are highlighted. Also, the impact of artificial sweeteners on human health is discussed in detail. The data has been collected using standard search engines like PubMed, Google scholar and websites of publishing houses like Elsevier and springer. Results and Discussion: Today, due to high calorie content, natural sweeteners are getting replaced by artificial ones. The US Food and Drug Administration(USFDA) has approved utilization of five artificial sweeteners namely, saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, neotame and cyclamate. However, artificial sweeteners should be consumed carefully and in limited quantities. This is because the consumption of artificial sweeteners is controversial owing to their effects on health ranging from mild headache to dreadful cancer risks. Conclusion: Hence, long term study of these sweeteners for further safety evaluation on health risks is essential.