Research Finds Sugar-Free Drink Sweeteners May Affect Gut Health

Researchers from Cambridge University discovered that certain artificial and natural sweeteners may slow the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This effect may be more pronounced when consumed with certain medications. The laboratory study involved exposing 25 different gut bacteria to 39 different sweeteners. The study found that a compound derived from the stevia plant, called ‘izosteviol’, when used in combination with the antidepressant duloxetine, significantly suppressed the growth of certain beneficial gut bacteria. The researchers noted that sweeteners are often presented as having a neutral effect on metabolism, but their findings challenge this view. They also pointed out that sugar substitutes are not digested by the stomach like regular sugar and instead reach the intestines, where they interact directly with the microorganisms living there.