Sweeteners' Effects Pass to Offspring, Mice Study Finds

Artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and stevia may have lasting effects on gut health that can be transmitted to future generations, according to a recent study conducted on mice. Researchers observed that the consumption of these sweeteners impacted the gut microbiome and gene expression in the parent generation, with some of these changes persisting across two subsequent generations.

The study involved dividing mice into groups that consumed either plain water, sucralose-laced water, or stevia-laced water, mimicking human dietary intake. Both sweeteners were found to increase the diversity of the gut microbiome but simultaneously decrease the levels of beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Sucralose demonstrated more persistent effects, influencing glucose tolerance and the expression of genes related to metabolism and inflammation across generations.

These observed alterations in glucose tolerance and gene expression are considered early biological signals potentially linked to metabolic or inflammatory processes. While the mice did not develop diabetes, the changes in glucose regulation and gene expression could predispose them to metabolic disturbances under certain conditions, such as a high-fat diet. The effects of stevia were mainly noted in the first generation, while sucralose's impacts were more consistent and endured longer.