Taipei Medical University research links artificial sweetener to male infertility

Taipei, June 20 (CNA) The consumption of sugar substitute compound sucralose has been linked to male infertility, according to a study released by Taiwan's Taipei Medical University (TMU) on Friday.

Hsia Shih-min (夏詩閔), head of TMU's School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, told a news conference that the school's research showed sucralose causes lowered performance to the T1R3 (taste receptor type 1 member 3) receptor protein in testicles.

The decreased performance of the protein then affects the secretion of hormones like testosterone, Hsia said, which not only dampens the vitality of sperm cells, but also causes deformity to the cells.

After two months of consecutively feeding lab rats sucralose the amount equivalent to levels acceptable to human beings, the testes of the rats sustained damage while the rate of death observed in sperm cells increase by 25 percent, according to Hsia.

Additionally, the researcher said that lipid peroxidation is a process linked to abnormal release of hormones, and sucralose not only has the ability to increase lipid peroxidation, it can also suppress the growth of testes cells, which was why Hsia implored the general public to be careful with their diet and be aware of their daily intake of the substance.

The average daily intake of sucralose for an adult Taiwanese should be 5 milligram per kilogram, meaning a 60kg adult should consume no more than 300mg per day, Hsia elaborated.

Using carbonated sugar drinks as an example, Hsia added that an adult should drink no more than 6 bottles a day.

He went on to say that natural foods such as fruit are a better choice than artificial sweeteners.

Other than negatively affecting male fertility, Hsia said sucralose could also cause female infertility or increase the possibility of premature birth.

Due to its adverse effects, Hsia suggested the government should reevaluate the substance's risk and related regulatory policies.

The results of the TMU study was published in May in "Environmental Health Perspectives," a peer-reviewed open access journal published monthly with support from the United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.