Acesulfame K, uterine contraction and preterm birth risk
What it found
In lab tests and animal studies, acesulfame K increased uterine contraction, and in 613 people, higher consumption was linked to early delivery.
What they found
Studies in people
Preterm risk in people
In 613 people, higher consumption of acesulfame K was linked to early delivery.
Animal and lab studies
Uterine contraction in animals
Animal studies showed more uterine contraction, more cytokine secretion and changed levels of contraction-related proteins.
Signalling pathway
Lab and tissue tests looked at a signalling pathway involving myosin light chain kinase and myosin light chain 20, which is tied to uterine contraction.
What the authors conclude
“Long-term high-dose exposure to Ace K can induce uterine hypercontraction, increase cytokine secretion, and alters contraction-related protein expression.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that long-term high-dose exposure to Ace K can induce uterine hypercontraction, increase cytokine secretion, and alter contraction-related protein expression.
- They suggest that women who suffer from painful uterine hypercontraction should pay more attention to zero- or low-calorie soft drinks or food products containing Ace K.
How it was done
Use of artificial sweeteners has been rising quickly, and the authors say this may have harmful effects on human reproduction.
They ran lab tests, tissue tests and animal studies on uterine contraction and the signalling pathway involved, and used long-term, high-dose exposure to check contraction-related proteins. They also followed 613 people to look at how much acesulfame K they consumed and its link to preterm risk.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- The human data come from a cohort study, so they can show a link between acesulfame K and early delivery, not that it causes it.
- The animal and lab results may not apply in the same way to people.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Taipei Medical University, Taiwan; Ain Shams University, Egypt; Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taiwan
The paper
- Title
- Consumption of Artificial Sweetener Acesulfame Potassium Increases Preterm Risk and Uterine Contraction with Calcium Influx Increased via Myosin Light Chain Kinase-Myosin Light Chain 20 Related Signaling Pathway
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Chiang YF, Chen HY, Lai YH, Ali M, Chen YC, Hsia SM (2022). Consumption of Artificial Sweetener Acesulfame Potassium Increases Preterm Risk and Uterine Contraction with Calcium Influx Increased via Myosin Light Chain Kinase-Myosin Light Chain 20 Related Signaling Pathway. Molecular nutrition & food research. doi:10.1002/mnfr.202200298PubMed 35986687DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error