Sweeteners in your favourite food and diet drinks ‘could STOP your medication working’

They found that these ingredients could disrupt the function of a protein that plays a role in detoxifying the liver.

It's this protein that also stabilises certain medications such as blood pressure medicine and anti depressants.

These ingredients are often found in diet drinks and some food products in order to give them a sweet taste whilst having few or no calories.

It was previously found that people who consumed artificial sweeteners had a 13 per cent higher cancer risk than those who did not consume them.

Scientists warned the sugar substitutes cannot be seen as “safe alternatives” in light of the findings, and said regulators should reassess their use.

The Wisconsin experts explained: "We observed that sweeteners impacted PGP activity in liver cells at concentrations expected through consumption of common foods and beverages, far below the recommended FDA maximum limits."

The PGP level refers to the detoxifying transporter P-glycoprotein.

When these sweeteners were added into the mix, medications became trapped in cells - causing them to not work properly.

The experts added: "To our knowledge, we are the first group to decipher the molecular mechanism by which non-nutritive sweeteners impact detoxification in the liver." 

Medications such as antibiotics, antidepressants and blood pressure medication rely on PGP to detoxify and the researchers said that this could be problematic for those who consumed sweeteners.

They explained that PGP plays a role in maintaining the blood brain barrier.

It's because of this that it's important to understand how these proteins could interfere with other organs as well as the liver.

The research was presented at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting.

Danner said: "Many people don’t realise that these sweeteners are found in light or zero-sugar versions of yogurts and snack foods and even in non-food products like liquid medicines and certain cosmetics.

"If future studies confirm that non-nutritive sweeteners impair the body’s detoxification process, it would be essential to study the potential interactions and determine safe levels of consumption for at-risk groups.

"It might also be important to include specific amounts non-nutritive sweeteners included on food labels so that people can better track their intake", Danner added.

A spokesperson for the British Soft Drinks Association said: “This observational study claims an association which runs counter to the view of all leading health authorities in the world that non-sugar sweeteners are safe.

"The UK Government and Public Health England have publicly endorsed the use of non-sugar sweeteners as a safe alternative to reduce sugar in food and drink and help people manage their weight.”