Scientists have discovered that the heart has “sweet taste” receptors, similar to those of the language, and the latter participate in the modulation of the heart rate.
- According to a new study, the heart has sweet taste receptors.
- The stimulation of these receptors can increase the contraction force of the heart muscle.
- Researchers also noticed that people with heart failure have a greater number of sweet taste receptors than others.
Researchers from Loyola University in Chicago have just discovered that the heart has a common point with the language. He also has “sweet taste” receptors. This discovery is presented during the 69e Biophysical Society annual meetingwhich is held from February 15 to 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Sweet taste receptors that act on heart rate
The American team has discovered that sweet taste receptors, known as TAS1R2 and TAS1R3, are present on the surface of cardiac muscle cells. During trials carried out with human cardiac cells and mice, the researchers observed a significant increase in the cardiac muscle contraction force and an acceleration of calcium management (essential processes to healthy heart rate) when these receivers are Stimulated with aspartame (artificial sweetening).
“After eating, it has been shown that heart rate and blood pressure increase”explains Micah Yoder, author of the study. “Previously, we thought it was a neuronal axis that was reported. But we offer a more direct consequence, where we have an increase in our blood sugar after eating a meal, and that binds to these sweet taste receptors on the heart muscle cells, causing a difference in heart rate “he adds in a press release.
Heart insufficiency: more TAS1R2 and TAS1R3 receptors in patients
Scientists have also noticed that patients with heart failure had a larger number of sweet taste receptors in the heart. Further research has shown that stimulation of receptors triggers “A cascade of molecular events in heart cells, involving key proteins that control calcium flow and muscle contraction”.
“In the event of heart failure, the heart changes its energy landscape and gives priority to the absorption and use of glucose. It is therefore possible that, during this energy change, the heart must modify its detection capacities nutrient to adapt to this change “advance micah yoder.
This discovery could also explain why high consumption of artificially sweet drinks has been linked by other works at an irregular heart rate. “”Not only are these sweet taste receptors particularly stimulated by artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, notes the expert, but it was also discovered that a overstimulation of these sweet taste receptors leads to an increase in arrhythmic behavior in cells cardiacs. “
The team specifies that additional research is necessary to understand the role of receptors in the heart and determine how they could help the development of new treatments against heart failure.
-1739366311.jpg "Ellie Bloom: “Seeing the size of the hole in my heart, the cardiologist told me that I had a guardian angel”")
