Aspartame and Metabolic Syndrome

http://www.dw.com/en/sugar-free-products-stop-us-getting-slimmer/a-36504096

In the end, there were hardly any noticeable differences between the two groups of mice that were fed a normal diet. But among the groups that received a high-fat diet, the mice that drank the sweetener solution became considerably heavier than those who drank plain water.
However, the blood sugar level was higher than normal in all of the mice that received sweetener solution. This is usually an indicator of glucose intolerance. All of these mice also experienced an increase of a protein called TNF-alpha in their blood. This protein is typically related to inflammations that are common in cases of metabolic syndrome.
What does that mean for humans? You’d be better off drinking plain water, or tea without sugar or sweetener, than grabbing a “zero-sugar” refreshment.