Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are frequently used in people′s diets and are generally thought to be harmless; however, animal studies indicate that they may affect the microbiota and subsequent glycemic reactions. The study was released in the Cell journal.

A cohort of 120 people was found after the research team thoroughly screened more than 1300 people for those who rigorously avoided non-nutritive sweeteners daily. They were divided into six groups: two controls, four groups that received saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, and stevia sachets for two weeks at doses below the recommended daily allowance, and two groups that received vehicle glucose or no supplement at all.

It was found that each NNS supplied to a group considerably changed the stool, oral microbiota, and plasma metabolome, but saccharin and sucralose markedly reduced glycemic responses. These findings imply that glycemic variations in consumers may occasionally be brought on by the microbiome changing in response to non-nutritive sweetener usage in a very individualized way.

Experts highlighted the necessity to educate people that artificial sweeteners are not harmless to the body and that more research was required to determine their long-term effects. (Sciencedaily.com, August 19, 2022)