Artificial sweeteners long marketed as healthier alternatives to sugar are facing renewed scientific scrutiny after a new study suggested that some commonly used sugar substitutes could trigger biological changes that persist across generations. Researchers from the University of Chile found that non-nutritive sweeteners such as sucralose and stevia altered gut bacteria, metabolism, and gene expression in mice, with some effects continuing in offspring that were never directly exposed to the substances.
The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Nutrition, have intensified debates over the long-term safety of artificial sweeteners, which are widely used in diet sodas, sugar-free snacks, protein products, and low-calorie beverages worldwide.
Researchers emphasized that the study was conducted in mice and does not prove the same effects occur in humans, but they said the results raise important questions about whether these additives are biologically neutral.
The Chilean research team studied 47 male and female mice divided into three groups. One group consumed plain water, while the others received water containing either sucralose or stevia in doses designed to mirror typical human dietary intake. The mice were then bred across two generations, with later generations receiving only plain water rather than sweeteners themselves.
Researchers analyzed gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and the activity of genes associated with inflammation, metabolism, and intestinal function.
According to the study, mice exposed to the sweeteners experienced measurable changes in gut bacteria composition and lower levels of beneficial short-chain fatty acids. Some of those changes appeared in offspring and even second-generation descendants that had never consumed the sweeteners directly.
Researchers found that sucralose appeared to produce more pronounced biological effects than stevia. Male offspring of mice exposed to sucralose showed signs of impaired glucose regulation, while later generations displayed elevated fasting blood sugar levels. The study also reported stronger shifts in gut microbiota linked to inflammation and metabolism among mice connected to sucralose exposure.
Stevia also influenced gene expression and gut bacteria, though researchers said the effects were generally milder and appeared to fade more quickly across generations.
Lead researcher Francisca Concha said the team became interested in the topic because rates of obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance continue rising despite growing use of low-calorie sweeteners. She stressed, however, that the findings do not prove artificial sweeteners directly cause those conditions.
Artificial sweeteners have become increasingly common as consumers attempt to reduce sugar intake and lower calorie consumption. Ingredients such as sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, and stevia are now found in thousands of food and beverage products globally.
According to research data cited by Fox News, roughly 140 million Americans regularly consume non-nutritive sweeteners. Their popularity has surged over the past two decades alongside rising concerns about obesity and diabetes.
Researchers involved in the new study emphasized that the findings should not cause panic among consumers. Instead, they said the results highlight the need for additional long-term human studies examining how artificial sweeteners may interact with metabolism, gut health, and inherited biological processes.
Source Name : Economic Times