Coffee supports liver health and improves mood through its effects on the gut microbiota.
Artificial sweeteners may disrupt metabolism, new review suggests
New scientific evidence suggests a link between calorie-free artificial sweeteners and impaired blood sugar regulation.
An increasing number of studies suggest that artificial and non-nutritive sweeteners (low- or no-calorie) may alter human metabolism. Many of these findings have now been brought together in a new systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, published in Current Atherosclerosis Reports.
Artificial sweeteners may harm metabolism by altering the gut microbiome
Across 21 randomised clinical trials involving adults, researchers found that artificial and other low-calorie sweeteners, compared with water or placebo, increased fasting insulin levels and HbA1c—a marker of long-term blood glucose control—and showed a trend toward worsening insulin sensitivity.
“What makes our analysis particularly relevant is that, by focusing on non-caloric comparators, we were better able to isolate the direct physiological effects of the sweeteners themselves, rather than the calories they replace,” said lead author Meng Wang. “Looking across the individual studies, we see signals suggesting that these compounds may have adverse effects on metabolism.”
According to the researchers, one possible explanation for these effects involves the gut microbiome. Non-nutritive sweeteners typically pass through the intestine and come into direct contact with the bacteria that live there. One of the clinical studies included in the review found that some low-calorie ones altered both the composition and the function of the gut microbiota.
In addition to the randomised trials, the researchers also examined large observational studies, which generally found an association between the consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners and a higher risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. Although these observational studies have limitations, and a different one may have different health effects, the researchers say that the overall body of evidence raises concerns.
Artificial sweeteners: “Avoid them whenever possible”
“The rapidly growing use of these sweeteners has outpaced our understanding of their long-term health effects,” said Dariush Mozaffarian, one of the study’s authors. “Until we know more, caution is warranted.” According to the researchers, artificial sweeteners may be a better alternative than consuming large amounts of added sugar. However, they caution that they should not simply be assumed to be safe or harmless, and conclude that it is prudent to avoid them whenever possible.
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