Researchers at the University of Cambridge tested 39 sweeteners against 25 species of gut bacteria in laboratory experiments and found that approximately three-quarters of the sweeteners altered the growth of at least one bacterial species. Some sweeteners slowed or stopped the growth of microbes associated with digestive health. The findings were published in Molecular Systems Biology, though scientists emphasized that these experiments occurred in laboratory settings rather than in human bodies, and further research is needed to determine real-world health implications.
The study also examined how sweeteners interact with common medications and substances. Researchers discovered over 100 instances where a sweetener’s effect on bacteria changed when combined with other compounds. Notably, the sweetener isosteviol paired with the antidepressant duloxetine strongly suppressed two important gut bacteria involved in digestive health and blood sugar regulation, and altered the diversity of a simulated gut microbiome. The findings challenge the assumption that sweeteners are metabolically neutral and highlight the importance of studying how everyday combinations of ingredients and medications interact within the digestive system.
Source: Read the full story at ScienceDaily
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