Effects of Sweeteners on the Gut Microbiota: A Review of Experimental Studies and Clinical Trials.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing preclinical and clinical evidence without systematic review methodology
PubMed 30721958 · doi:10.1093/advances/nmy037
What was done
This review synthesized evidence from experimental studies and clinical trials evaluating the impact of nonnutritive synthetic sweeteners (acesulfame K, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, neotame, advantame, sucralose), natural nonnutritive sweeteners (thaumatin, steviol glucosides, monellin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, glycyrrhizin), and nutritive polyols on human gut microbiota composition.
What was found
Only saccharin, sucralose, and stevia were reported to alter gut microbiota composition among the nonnutritive/natural sweeteners evaluated. Several polyols (isomaltose, maltitol, lactitol, and xylitol) reach the large bowel and increase bifidobacteria numbers in humans. The abstract reports no quantitative values or effect estimates.
Why it matters
As sugar substitute consumption rises, understanding their microbiome effects clarifies potential metabolic impacts, distinguishing mostly inert compounds from those that alter microbial profiles or act as prebiotic-like substrates.
Limits
The abstract provides no quantitative metrics, effect sizes, search methodology, or study counts (n = ?), reflecting a narrative rather than systematic review design. It aggregates heterogeneous preclinical and human data without specifying individual study quality or risk of bias.
Cited by
- supports Artificial sweeteners can be up to a thousand times sweeter than regular sugar.