A study of an artificial sweetener, commonly used in hot drinks and found in diet sodas, revealed an unexpected effect on the immune system.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute in London found that consuming a large amount of sucralose reduced the activation of white blood cells in experiments applied to mice.
“If these initial results hold up in people, they might one day offer a way to reduce some of the harmful effects of autoimmune diseases,” said Karen Fosden, senior author of the study.
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is regarding 600 times sweeter than sugar and is commonly used in foods and beverages. However, its effects on the body are not yet fully understood.
“This study sets out to explore how high doses of sucralose can be used in new treatment options for patients, but the results are still preliminary,” said Caris Bates, senior director of health information at Cancer Research UK.
