Animal Model Shows that Aspartame May Decrease Fat Storage

11 Apr 2014 --- A recent study by Zheng et al. has concluded that aspartame reduced fat storage in C. elegans and increased pharyngeal pumping rate, a marker of lifespan, in the worm species.

In the study, four different types of the C. elegans worm were divided into 8 different groups for two different experiments. The researchers chose to use the worm species because of their short lifespan and large offspring size, which magnifies the metabolic response to dietary changes when compared to humans or mice/rats. In the first experiment, four of the groups received four different treatments: (1) a control broth, representing normal feeding; (2) the control broth and a regular soda; (3) the control broth and a diet soda made with aspartame; and (4) the control broth and a diet soda made with aspartame and acesulfame potassium (AAK). In the second experiment, the other four groups received four different treatments: (1) the control broth; (2) the control broth and glucose; (3) the control broth and aspartame; and (4) the control broth and AAK.

Results of the study found that aspartame and AAK did not increase fat storage, with aspartame-treated groups having larger reductions in fat storage. Additionally, the study found that both sweeteners increased PPR. The researchers concluded that, “These findings imply that aspartame, either alone or in combination with other sweeteners, inhibits pathways that favor intestinal fat deposition. Therefore, the consumption of aspartame-containing foods or beverages may results in weight loss in addition to prevent fat gain, with a greater effect than other intense sweeteners, which is in agreement with the human clinical trial.” Further, the researchers concluded that, “The fact that artificial sweeteners have been extensively studied and shown to be safe makes them ideal for obesity prevention offering a distinct advantage over obesity medications that have a poor track record for safety.”

Zheng J, Greenway FL, Heymsfield SB, Johnson WD, King JF, King MJ, et al. Effects of three intense sweeteners on fat storage in the C. elegans model. Chem Biol Interact, 2014. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2014.02.016

Source: Calorie Control Council