(NewsNation) – A groundbreaking study has revealed that everyday sweeteners found in a variety of foods and beverages might disrupt the beneficial bacteria crucial for maintaining a healthy gut.
In this research spearheaded by scientists from the University of Cambridge, 25 different species of gut bacteria were cultivated in a lab setting. This array included helpful, neutral, and potentially harmful strains, all exposed to 39 popular sweeteners used in the food industry.
Both natural and artificial sweeteners were put to the test, as scientists assessed the ability of the bacteria to reproduce and thrive.
The findings were revealing: around 75% of the sweeteners affected the growth of at least one bacterial type. Some sweeteners notably slowed down or entirely halted the growth of bacteria vital for a healthy digestive system.
Additionally, the study expanded to examine these sweeteners alongside common substances such as caffeine, vanillin, advantame, and eight prevalent medications, exploring whether these combinations altered the impact on bacteria.
The study identified more than 100 interactions in which the sweeteners behaved differently when combined with other compounds. In 34 cases, the combinations strengthened the effects, while in 68 cases they weakened them.
One sweetener, isosteviol, which is widely used in the food and beverage industry and is also associated with the antidepressant duloxetine, was found to suppress two bacteria linked to gut health: Roseburia intestinalis and Parabacteroides merdae.
Researchers cautioned that the experiments were conducted in a laboratory and not in humans, meaning additional research is needed before any direct health effects can be confirmed.
“Our study suggests that artificial sweeteners don’t just pass through the body passively — they can interact with gut microbes, and these effects can be amplified or altered by other substances like medications,” said Professor Kiran Patil, the study’s senior author. “These findings can help guide new studies toward understanding how sweeteners might influence health in unexpected ways.”