A new danger of artificial sweeteners has been identified

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Even moderate use of common sweeteners is dangerous for the intestines. It has been established that they have a negative effect on previously absolutely healthy intestinal bacteria. Scientists studied their effect on two types of intestinal microorganisms-E. coli (Escherichia coli) and E. faecalis (Enterococcus faecalis). It was about such sweeteners as saccharin, sucralose and aspartame. Previously, science has already proven that they can change the number and types of bacteria in the intestines. 

However, a new molecular study by scientists at Anglia Ruskin University found that sweeteners make bacteria more pathogenic. And these pathogens attach, invade and kill the cells of the intestinal walls. It is known that bacteria such as E. faecalis, if they penetrate the walls of the intestines, are able to make their way into the bloodstream and accumulate in the lymph nodes, liver and spleen. All of this increases the risk of infections, including sepsis or blood contamination.

Sweeteners found in just two cans of diet soda significantly increase the adhesion or attachment of E. faecalis to intestinal cells and differentially affect the formation of biofilms Bacteria growing in this biofilm are less sensitive to treatment with antibiotic resistance drugs, they are more likely to release toxins and express virulence factors, which are disease-causing molecules. All three sweeteners forced pathogenic intestinal bacteria to invade intestinal epithelial cells.