The effects of artificial and natural sweeteners on various physiological systems
type: CreativeWork
description: This study aimed to investigate the effects of commercially available natural (sugar cane molasses, white sugar and brown sugar) and artificial (Canderel™, Equal™, Natreen™, Sweetex™, Splenda™ and Swheet™) sweeteners on various physiological systems. The artificial sweeteners tested in this study may be categorised into their respective groups based on their primary ingredient. The brands Canderel™ and Equal™ contain aspartame, Natreen™ and Sweetex™ consist of saccharin and Splenda™ and Swheet™ are composed of sucralose. The inclusion of artificial or natural sweeteners in the human diet has been continually debated and their implication in the development of certain diseases has raised concern regarding their safe use. Therefore, it is necessary that these food products be subjected to a battery of tests to determine adverse effects on human health. Firstly, we investigated the effect of the popular sweetener, sugar cane molasses on the immune system. Whole blood cultures were used to assess the impact of molasses on cytokines regulating specific immune pathways. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was used to determine potential cytotoxicity of sugar cane molasses. Results showed that exposure of molasses to whole blood cultures caused no cell death. However, molasses stimulated interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 secretion, indicating effects on inflammation and humoral immunity respectively. The enhanced humoral response produced by molasses may be associated with increased antibody production that acts in defense against extracellular pathogens. Conversely, high IL-6 levels may be associated with the development of hypersensitivity reactions. Based on this outcome, we aimed to further investigate the comparative effect of molasses to other natural and artificial sweeteners using a similar model system. Results of this study showed that all artificial sweeteners had an inhibitory effect on the inflammatory response, while molasses stimulated the inflammatory process in …
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effects of commercially available natural (sugar cane molasses, white sugar and brown sugar) and artificial (Canderel™, Equal™, Natreen™, Sweetex™, Splenda™ and Swheet™) sweeteners on various physiological systems. The artificial sweeteners tested in this study may be categorised into their respective groups based on their primary ingredient. The brands Canderel™ and Equal™ contain aspartame, Natreen™ and Sweetex™ consist of saccharin and Splenda™ and Swheet™ are composed of sucralose. The inclusion of artificial or natural sweeteners in the human diet has been continually debated and their implication in the development of certain diseases has raised concern regarding their safe use. Therefore, it is necessary that these food products be subjected to a battery of tests to determine adverse effects on human health. Firstly, we investigated the effect of the popular sweetener, sugar cane molasses on the immune system. Whole blood cultures were used to assess the impact of molasses on cytokines regulating specific immune pathways. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was used to determine potential cytotoxicity of sugar cane molasses. Results showed that exposure of molasses to whole blood cultures caused no cell death. However, molasses stimulated interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 secretion, indicating effects on inflammation and humoral immunity respectively. The enhanced humoral response produced by molasses may be associated with increased antibody production that acts in defense against extracellular pathogens. Conversely, high IL-6 levels may be associated with the development of hypersensitivity reactions. Based on this outcome, we aimed to further investigate the comparative effect of molasses to other natural and artificial sweeteners using a similar model system. Results of this study showed that all artificial sweeteners had an inhibitory effect on the inflammatory response, while molasses stimulated the inflammatory process in …
author: Rahiman, Farzana
keywords: Artificial sweeteners, Natural sweeteners, Sugar cane molasses, Immune system, Male reproductive system
license: https://uwcscholar.uwc.ac.za/bitstreams/a2a8c35c-1a8c-4b70-9d15-08a77664a73a/download
date published: 2011
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:00:46Z
provider: University of the Western Cape
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of the Western Cape