The study showed that the daily dose of this artificial sweetener caused anxiety not only in those who consumed it, but also in their offspring.
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981. Today, it is widely used in the manufacture of low-calorie foods and beverages – in total, it is found in more than 5,000 drinks and foods consumed daily by adults and children, writes Science Alert.
In a new study, a group of scientists from Florida State University (USA) asked whether sugary drinks affect us and, for example, make us feel anxious. It looks like we have a lot to think about.
in 24News Breaker. Technology emerged telegraph channel. Subscribe so you don’t miss the latest and exciting news from the world of science!
During the study, the scientists gave the mice free access to sweetened water, which contained 15% of the recommended daily intake for humans. The scientists found that the animals displayed more anxious behaviors, as evidenced by specially designed mood tests.
What was surprising, however, was that the results of the study showed that anxious behavior was observed not only in mice that consumed aspartame water, but also in their offspring for up to two generations.
According to neuroscientist Pradeep Bhaidi, co-author of the study, animal anxiety has been measured over several generations using various maze tests. Additionally, the scientists sequenced RNA in key parts of the nervous system and found significant changes in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for anxiety.
It is already known that aspartame breaks down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol, all of which can affect the central nervous system. Interestingly, when diazepam, a drug used to treat anxiety in humans, was given to mice, the anxiety behavior stopped for all generations. Researchers believe the drug helps regulate the same pathways in the brain that avspartame acts on.
The anxiety was so strong that almost none of the scientists expected to see such a result, according to study co-author Sarah Jonas. Of course, the observation of anxiety in mice only suggests that the sweetener causes a similar reaction in humans. Researchers will need more tests to understand whether aspartame actually causes anxiety in humans that will be passed on to their descendants.
Previously Focus He wrote that scientists learned what happened to the brains of mice after drinking Coca-Cola for two months.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.