Ingredient found in cakes, chewing gum and drinks is toxic to the gut and could trigger sepsis’ [Video]

FOOD sweetener neotame can damage the gut and cause serious illness, a study suggests.

The e-number chemical is thousands of times sweeter than sugar and is increasingly used in place of aspartame, which was found to have health risks.

Lab experiments now show the chemical, found in cakes, drinks and chewing gum, is toxic to the gut.

Scientists at Anglia Ruskin University found it triggered disease in previously healthy gut bacteria, causing them to damage the lining of the intestine.

Neotame, also known as E961, was also capable of directly damaging cells on the gut’s sensitive insides.

This could lead to irritable bowel syndrome or even deadly sepsis – plus contributing to type 2 diabetes, the researchers reckon.

There is growing awareness of the health impacts of sweeteners

Dr Havovi ChichgerAnglia Ruskin University

They added that even …