Cited by 104Biochemical Analysis and Sensing TechniquesGut microbiota and healthGastrointestinal motility and disorders

Assessing the in vivo data on low/no-calorie sweeteners and the gut microbiota

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Lobach, Alexandra R., Roberts, Ashley, Rowland, Ian R.·2019·Food and Chemical Toxicology

Abstract

Low/no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) are continually under the spotlight in terms of their safety and benefits; in 2014 a study was published linking LNCS to an enhanced risk of glucose intolerance through modulation of the gut microbiota. In response, an in-depth review of the literature was undertaken to evaluate the major contributors to potential changes in the gut microbiota and their corresponding sequelae, and to determine if consuming LNCS (e.g., acesulfame K, aspartame, cyclamate, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, steviol glycosides) contributes to changes in the microbiome based on the data reported in human and animal studies. A few rodent studies with saccharin have reported changes in the gut microbiome, but primarily at high doses that bear no relevance to human consumption. This and other studies suggesting an effect of LNCS on the gut microbiota were found to show no evidence of an actual adverse effect on human health. The sum of the data provides clear evidence that changes in the diet unrelated to LNCS consumption are likely the major determinants of change in gut microbiota numbers and phyla, confirming the viewpoint supported by all the major international food safety and health regulatory authorities that LNCS are safe at currently approved levels.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.fct.2018.12.005

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  • Nonnutritive sweeteners have been linked to detrimental effects on microbial diversity and composition and decreased butyrate concentration, but evidence is inconsistent, with some reports concluding no clear effects or that only some sweeteners impact the microbial profile.

    “Although earlier human studies indicated detrimental effects on microbial diversity and composition (99, 100) and a more recent study linked consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners to a “dysbiosis” [an increasingly redundant term in microbiome research (171)] and a decrease in butyrate concentration (172), some reports have concluded that no clear effects of sweeteners on the microbiota can be”

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Magnuson, B., 2015. Council Spokesperson, Berna Magnuson, Reviews Nature Study on Low-calorie Sweeteners. Calorie Control Council, Atlanta, GA Press release dated March 13, 2015. Available at: http://caloriecontrol.org/council-spokesperson-berna- magnuson-reviews-nature-study-on-low-calorie-sweeteners/.
  2. Volz, M., Christ, O., Eckert, H.G., Herok, J., Kellner, H.M., Rupp, W., 1991. Kinetics and biotransformation of Acelsulfame-K. In: In: Mayer, D.G., Kemper, F.H. (Eds.), 47. Acesulfame-K. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, NY, pp. 7-26 Food Science and Technology.

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Authors
Lobach, A. R., Roberts, A., & Rowland, I. R.
Affiliations
  • Intertek (Canada) (CA)
  • University of Reading (GB)
Corresponding author
Roberts, Ashley
Venue
Food and Chemical Toxicology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-02
Volume
124
Pages
385-399
ISSN
0278-6915 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2904489727
Cited by
104
References
71
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 8
FWCI
1.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Food and Chemical Toxicology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CentAUR (University of Reading) (acceptedVersion)
Funders
FDA
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
Keywords
gut microbiota, saccharin, sucralose, steviol glycosides, aspartame, cyclamate, neotame, acesulfame-K, impaired glucose tolerance, sweetener safety, rodent studies
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Animals, Humans, Sweetening Agents

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