Sucralose, a popular artificial sweetener that is approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar, is widely used in a variety of beverages and food products.
Despite its widespread use, the full effects of sucralose on the human body are not yet fully understood. However, recent research suggests that the consumption of sucralose can have an impact on human health by altering the microbiome, which refers to the complex community of microorganisms that live within the human gut.
According to a new study just published and conducted at the Francis Crick Institute, a high intake of the widely-used artificial sweetener, sucralose, has been found to reduce the activation of T-cells in mice, a crucial component of the immune system.
If its effects in humans are proven to be similar, it may one day be utilized as a therapeutic agent to suppress T-cell responses. This could potentially benefit individuals with autoimmune diseases who experience uncontrolled T-cell activation.
Sucralose, an artificial sweetener that’s utilized in a wide range of food and drinks, is nearly 600 times sweeter than sugar. However, the effects of this sweetener on the body are still not entirely comprehended.
The study published today in the journal Nature investigated the effects of sucralose, a commonly used artificial sweetener, on the immune system of mice. The research team conducted various tests to determine the impact of sucralose on the immune response of the mice.
Mice were administered sucralose in doses equivalent to the recommended acceptable daily intake levels suggested by both European and American food safety authorities. However, it is important to note that these doses are not typically reached by people who consume food or drinks containing sweeteners as part of their regular diet.
The research indicates that mice fed with sucralose in high doses exhibited reduced ability to activate T cells in response to cancer or infection. However, no significant impact was observed on other types of immune cells.
T-cells are an important part of the immune system, responsible for fighting off infections and diseases. By conducting a more detailed study of T cells, the researchers discovered that high levels of sucralose can affect the release of intracellular calcium in response to stimulation, resulting in a dampening of T-cell function.
The study highlights the potential for sucralose to be used therapeutically in patients with T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, as a high-dose sucralose diet was found to help mitigate the harmful effects of overactive T cells in mice.
However, it is important to note that the levels of sucralose used in the study were much higher than what humans typically consume, so there is no need for concern for those consuming normal or moderate levels of sucralose. Instead, the findings could lead to the development of new therapeutic treatments for autoimmune diseases using higher doses of sucralose.
According to Karen Vousden, the senior author and principal group leader at the Crick, the aim is to gather more information about how diet affects health and disease, with the goal of being able to recommend individualized diets to patients or identify dietary components that can be used for treatment.
Further research is necessary to determine if the effects of sucralose observed in mice can be replicated in humans.
“If these initial findings hold up in people, they could one day offer a way to limit some of the harmful effects of autoimmune conditions.”
Fabio Zani, who is a postdoctoral training fellow and co-first author at the Crick, emphasizes that the study’s results should not be interpreted as a warning that “sucralose is harmful” when consumed as part of a balanced diet.
“The impact on the immune system we observed seems reversible and we believe it may be worth studying if sucralose could be used to ameliorate conditions such as autoimmunity, especially in combinational therapies.”
Julianna Blagih, the former postdoctoral training fellow at the Crick who is now an Assistant Professor at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre at the University of Montreal, and also a co-first author, highlights that the study has revealed “a commonly used sweetener, sucralose, is not a completely inert molecule and we have uncovered an unexpected effect on the immune system.”
According to Karis Betts, who is the senior health information manager at Cancer Research UK, this study represents an initial step in exploring the possibility of using “high doses of sucralose” for developing “new treatment” options for patients, “but it’s still early days.”
“The results of this study don’t show harmful effects of sucralose for humans so you don’t need to think about changing your diet to avoid it.”
Source: 10.1038/s41586-023-05801-6
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