Aspartame and added sugars may increase risk of hypertension among children: Study

Researchers have found in a new study that aspartame and added sugars are associated with an increased risk of pediatric hypertension, while steviol glycosides may have a protective effect. The findings indicate that replacing added sugars with non-nutritive sweeteners could lower the risk of high blood pressure in children, underscoring the importance of age-specific dietary guidelines and more research into the cardiovascular impact of sweeteners during growth years. The prospective multicenter cohort study drew data from the Taiwan Pubertal Longitudinal Study, which has been ongoing since 2018 and closely monitored the dietary patterns and cardiovascular health of children aged seven to seventeen. Researchers analyzed dietary intake using a validated sweetener-focused food frequency questionnaire and compared this information with repeated blood pressure measurements, urinary biomarkers, and lifestyle factors. The aim was to identify how different sweeteners, both nutritive and non-nutritive, contribute to cardiovascular outcomes in children who are still undergoing growth and hormonal development. The analysis revealed that children consuming higher levels of aspartame or added sugars were more likely to develop hypertension, with the association stronger among those who were overweight. By contrast, steviol glycosides appeared to lower hypertension risk, suggesting potential benefits of natural plant-derived sweeteners. Interestingly, some differences were observed between boys and girls, hinting at possible sex-specific metabolic responses to sweeteners during puberty. The researchers also noted that replacing added sugars with non-nutritive sweeteners overall was associated with a reduction in hypertension risk, highlighting the potential of dietary substitution strategies as a public health approach. The authors emphasized that while non-nutritive sweeteners may provide some benefits compared with added sugars, not all sweeteners have the same impact on cardiovascular health, and the long-term effects in children remain insufficiently studied. They concluded that moderation of added sugar intake, careful selection of alternative sweeteners, and early prevention strategies could help lower the burden of hypertension in younger populations.