A common artificial sweetener may trigger insulin spikes that lead to the build up of fatty plaques in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, a new study in mice indicates.

Artificial sweeteners are everywhere, marketed as a healthier alternative to sugar, but new research suggests they may not be so harmless. A team of scientists discovered that aspartame, a common sugar substitute,

A common artificial sweetener can trigger dangerous insulin spikes, warns a new study. The spikes led to blood vessel inflammation in mice - which raises the risk of a heart attack or stroke, say scientists.