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Aspartame increases food demand and impacts behavior: a study using ants as models

par Cammaerts Tricot, Marie-Claire ;Cammaerts, Roger
Référence Acta biomedica scientia, 3, page (9-23)
Publication Publié, 2016

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

Using ants as biological models, we showed that aspartame, probably the most consumedsweetener in the world, appeared to have unwanted ethological and physiological effects.Compared to a diet made of meat and sugar, it increased the ants‟ meat consumption, speedof locomotion, and „audacity‟. It drastically impacted visual and olfactory memory,reduced the precision of reaction, response to pheromones, brood caring behavior andcognition. When having to choose between a solution of aspartame and one of sugar, theants largely chose the latter one. The physiological and ethological perturbations seen inants may be attributed to the fact that though being not a glycoside, aspartame gives to thebrain the „presence of sugar‟ information. Using ants as models, we conclude thataspartame, consumed in moderate amount, does not impact health but induces severedisturbances in behavior and cognitive abilities.