Study: Non-food sweeteners enhance the spread of antibiotic resistance genes

Canberra-Sana

A recent Australian study revealed that commonly used non-nutritional sweeteners such as diet sugar can enhance the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut.

In the study published by the Medical website, researchers explained that sweeteners from saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium can stimulate the formation of urinary bladder tumors and speed up the exchange of antibiotic resistance genes through a process called conjugation. The genes are transferred from the donor to the recipient bacteria, which may continue thereafter. In the development of multidrug resistance.

The study pointed out that there are about 700 thousand people die worldwide from infection caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria every year, and it is estimated that 10 million people will die from this infection by 2050 if no immediate action is taken.

The problem of antibiotic resistance and the emergence of resistant bacteria in general is due to the misuse or overuse of antibiotics.