The Effect of Aspartame on Blood Sugar Level in Humans, Homo sapiens
Mindy Zahedi, William Badie, Josh Curtis
Department of Biological Sciences
Saddleback College,
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Aspartame is an artificial non-saccharide sweetener used as a substitute for sugar in numerous foods and beverages. However,[N.A.1]The safety of this product however has been under scrutiny due to cancer linkage, fibromyalgia, brain damage and its effects of blood glucose levels. In this study, the effects of Equal Zero Calorie Sweetener, an artificial sweetener containing aspartame, and Domino Pure Cane Sugar, were examined on blood sugar levels of Homo sapiens. It was hypothesized that aspartame would raise blood glucose levels higher than sugar. Fifteen subjects had their blood glucose levels recorded every 15 minutes for 75 minutes after consumption of water, sugar or aspartame. The peaks caused by each of the substances were then recorded and compared. The average blood peak was 91.6 mg/dL after consumption of water, 120.1 mg/dL after consumption of water with sugar and 116.6 mg/dL after consumption of aspartame with water. An ANOVA test showed a statistical difference with a p-value of 2.1x10-10. The post hoc test illustrated a significant difference between the peak of blood glucose levels in sugar and aspartame in comparison to water. However, there was no significant difference between the blood glucose level peaks of sugar and aspartame resulting in the hypothesis being rejected.
Introduction[N.A.2]
Aspartame is a synthetic non-nutritive sweetener commonly used in low and reduced-calorie foods and beverages. Artificial sweeteners have become part of the lifestyle of millions of people who desire to have better health, by managing their weight, or appreciating low- or reduced-calorie products. Aspartame is currently consumed by over 200 million people and found in over 6,000 products (Hankey and Lean, 2004). A key characteristic of aspartame is its ability to sweeten foods and drinks without adding calories (Robb-Nicholson and Schatz, 2004).
Many people utilize aspartame as a healthier substitute for pure cane sugar. Usage of artificial sweetener however has raised debate about its health hazards. This, in turn, has led to countless studies about its safety and overall benefit as a common staple in our diet. Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly studied food ingredients, with more than 200 scientific studies supporting its safety including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Iuliano, 2010). Other scientific researchers found that aspartame has a potential for adverse effects (Briffa, 2005; Yellowlees, 1983).
Aspartame is unique among low-calorie sweeteners being completely broken down by the body into its components : amino acids, aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and small amounts of methanol. Each of these components can have extremely negative effects on the human body. Aspartic acid can cause neurological disorders, phenylalanine can lead to brain damage to those with phenylketonuria.Methanol breaks down into formaldehyde (a deadly neurotoxin) within the body and large amounts of amino acids may allow too much calcium in brain cells (Magnuson et al., 2007). Among these dangers is the risk of aspartame raising blood glucose to levels higher than pure cane sugar. Over time, high sugar levels damage the body and can lead to multiple health problems associated with diabetes. Those such as diabetics trying to maintain their weight or control their blood sugar levels, , may reach towards artificial sweeteners with aspartame as an aid. If aspartame does indeed raise blood glucose levels more than regular sugar, than it could pose a danger to unaware diabetics (Hooper, 1968).
This study will focus on the effect of aspartame on blood glucose levels. Comparing blood sugar levels in humans (Homo sapiens) consuming pure cane sugar and aspartame individually can lead to an effective way in analyzing if aspartame has a negative effect on blood glucose levels. For this study Domino Pure Cane Sugar and Equal Zero Calorie Sweetener will be utilized. The investigators hypothesize that the aspartame will cause a higher spike in blood sugar levels than the pure cane sugar in Homo sapiens.
Materials and Methods
The project took place throughout April 2014 in Saddleback College. Fifteen subjects between ages18 and 30 were asked to participate. Each subject was required to meet up with the researchers on three different occasions, for three tests[N.A.3] Individuals were required to meet with researchers in three separate occasions. For the first test, subjects were required to fast [N.A.4] 12 hours beforehand and report to the researcher, Mindy Zahedi’s house at 9:00 AM. Upon their arrival each subject had their blood glucose levels measured. Blood Glucose was measured by first wiping the subject’s finger with an alcohol swab[N.A.5], applying a new One Touch lancet to a One Touch lancing device [N.A.6]and then using the lancing device to draw the subject’s blood. A TrueResult blood glucose monitor and TRUEtest test strips were used to obtain their blood glucose levels in mg/dL[N.A.7]. After the initial glucose level was measured the subjects were required to drink 250 mL of water. After each subject finished their water they had their blood glucose levels taken every 15 minutes for an hour and 15 minutes.
The fifteen subjects fasted once again for 12 hours and report to the same researcher’s house at 9:00 AM[N.A.8]. When they arrived they had an initial blood glucose level taken. They then had to drink 250 mL of water with 20 g of Equal Zero Calorie sweetener dissolved in it. Every 15 minutes after the subject had consumed the water with Equal Zero Calorie sweetener, they had their blood glucose level checked every 15 minutes for an hour and 15 minutes.
Once again, subjects were asked to fast for 12 hours and then report to the researcher’s house at 9:00 AM. When they arrived they had an initial blood glucose level taken and then drank 250 mL of water with 20 g of Domino Premium Pure Cane Granulated sugar dissolved in it. Once they had finished consuming the water their blood glucose levels were measured every 15 minutes for an hour and fifteen minutes. [N.A.9]
Results
The subjects that ingested Equal had an average blood glucose peak of 120.13±0.96 mg/dL, while those who ingested Domino sugar had an average blood glucose peak of 116.67± 3.39 mg/dL. The average blood glucose peak for those who drank tap water was 91.60 ± 2.43 mg/dL as shown in Table 1.[N.A.10]
Subject # / water / Equal / sugar1 / 84 / 121 / 92
2 / 106 / 128 / 104
3 / 91 / 119 / 121
4 / 93 / 124 / 118
5 / 81 / 116 / 96
6 / 84 / 121 / 123
7 / 76 / 119 / 119
8 / 82 / 122 / 101
9 / 102 / 112 / 122
10 / 92 / 123 / 121
11 / 90 / 117 / 114
12 / 105 / 122 / 126
13 / 91 / 118 / 139
14 / 92 / 120 / 122
15 / 105 / 120 / 132
An analysis of variance (ANOVA) Single Factor test was ran, illustrating that there was a significant difference between the three groups (p= 2.1x10-10, ANOVA) as shown in Figure 1. A post hoc test revealed that there was a significant difference between the average blood glucose peaks of the water samples when compared to both the Equal (p<0.05, ANOVA with Bonferroni Correction) and Domino Sugar samples (p<0.05). There washowever, no significant difference between the blood sugar peak of Equal artificial sweeteners and Domino Sugar.
The Figure 1 caption should not be an explanationof your results in full sentences.
Discussion[N.A.11]
The peak blood glucose levels when subject’s ingested water, sugar and artificial sweetener with aspartame, showed significant statistical difference. When subjects ingested the control group (plain water), their glucose levels stayed relatively stable and for some it decreased. When the subjects ingested the water with 20 grams of sugar their glucose levels spiked relatively quick, within 15-30 minutes. It was the same case when subjects ingested the Equal artificial sweetener. The artificial sweetener spiked within 15-20 minutes and continued having steep declines once the peak was reached. Statistical difference was shown when sugar or Equal was compared to water, as both caused a spike in glucose levels and water did not. However, when Equal was compared to sugar, there was no significant statistical difference,causing the rejection of the hypothesis. Equal did indeed cause a spike in glucose levels, but the spike was no higher than the spike that normal pure cane sugar caused.
A study with similar intentions was done on mice as the test subjects. The students studied the results of a life-long exposure to aspartame on several mice. They noticed that fasting blood glucose levels had been raised to higher levels when compared to levels taken before their exposure. They also noted that males had experienced more of an elevation in glucose levels than females. (Collison KS. Et al., 2012).
Potential follow up studies may test the effects of long term aspartame ingestion on blood glucose levels. This may be done by requiring subjects to eat or drink a certain amount of sweetener with aspartame for a month while closely monitoring blood glucose levels. Another possible study may test the effect of aspartame consumption on males versus the effect of aspartame on females.
Acknowledgments
The researchers appreciatively acknowledge Professor Steve Teh and Dr. Tony Huntley for their countless lab hours and assistance. The researchers would also like to thank Saddleback College’s Department of Biological Sciences for their generosity and contribution of equipment.
Literature Cited
Briffa, J.,Gordon,I.J., Finer, N., Lean, M., Hankey, C.R. 2005, Aspartame And Its Effects on Health. The British Medical Journal , 330 (7486): 309-310
Collison, K. S.,Makhoul, N.J.,Zaidi M.Z. 2012, Gender Dimorphism in Aspartame-Induced Impairment of Spatial Cognition and Insulin Sensitivity.PLoS ONE,7(4):315-317.
Hooper, B.M. 1968, Measuring Blood Sugar. The British Medical Journal, 4(5633): 774-776
Iuliano, J. 2010, Killing Us Sweetly: How to Take Industry Out of the FDA. Journal of Food Law & Policy, 6(1):31-87.
Lean, M. and Hankey, C.R. 2004, Aspartame And Its Effects On Health. The British Medical Journal, 329 (7469): 755-756
Magnuson, B. A., Burdock, G. A., Doull, J. J. (2007). Aspartame: A Safety Evaluation Based on Current Use Levels, Regulations, and Toxicological and Epidemiological Studies. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 37(8): 629-727.
Robb-Nicholson, C. and Schatz, N.A. 2004, Artificial sweeteners: Okay in moderation. Harvard Women’s Health Watch, 11(11):2-3
Yellowlees, H. 1983, Aspartame. The British Medical Journal, 287 (6396): 912-913
Review Form
Department of Biological Sciences
SaddlebackCollege, Mission Viejo, CA92692
Author (s):___Mindy Zahedi, William Badie, Josh Curtis _____
Title: The Effect of Aspartame on Blood Sugar Level in Humans, Homo sapiens
Summary
Summarize the paper succinctly and dispassionately. Do not criticize here, just show that you understood the paper.
The researchers wanted to see the effects of aspartame on blood sugar levels in humans. Aspartame is an artificial sugar and there have been some studies to see the linkage towards cancer. They were testing to see if there would be a higher spike in the blood sugar levels if the test subjects were given water for the first test, water mixed with 20 grams of Equal for the second test and , water mixed with Sugar cane for the third test. They then ran stats and found that both sugar and Equal caused a spike in glucose, unlike what they predicted and how there was no difference within each other.
General Comments
Generally explain the paper’s strengths and weaknesses and whether they are serious, or important to our current state of knowledge.
It was very straight forward and easy to understand which is always great! They told me exactly what they were testing for and what they believed would happen. They only thing is that it got wordy sometimes and repetitive.
Technical Criticism
Review technical issues, organization and clarity. Provide a table of typographical errors, grammatical errors, and minor textual problems. It's not the reviewer's job to copy Edit the paper, mark the manuscript.
Not many grammatical error
Work on less wordiness
Changes in tense
Where items were bought or what brand materials were
This paper was a final versionThis paper was a rough draft
Recommendation
Make changes to table and graph so that the figure captions are on top or bottom and so they are explanatory without complete sentences.
This paper should be published as is
This paper should be published with revision
This paper should not be published
[N.A.1]Awkwardly placed into the sentence.
[N.A.2]The paragraph is wordy
[N.A.3]Wording is informal
[N.A.4]What does this include??? No drinking liquids or just food??
1-[N.A.5]What brand??
2-Where were they bought???
[N.A.6]From where??
[N.A.7]How was this obtained??
[N.A.8]How much time passed from first test?
[N.A.9]Repetitive. Just explain how they had to fast each time for 12hrs before arrival, then met at Mindy’s house and process was repeated except with different things to drink
[N.A.10]Format issue
[N.A.11]Why is this study important for real life?