Artificial sweeteners can alter metabolism over generations, research has found

Artificial sweeteners, present in everything from sugar-free foods to diet sodas, are a staple for many who are trying to lose weight – but new research shows that the substances may have various effects, which may change the body for generations to come even without direct use.

The findings raise questions about the long-term biological effects of widely used sugar substitutes, especially as use has increased in recent years.

In a study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers in Chile found that mice given sucralose or stevia passed on changes in genes related to metabolism to their children and grandchildren – even when later generations did not consume sweeteners.

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The findings suggest that sweeteners may have caused changes in gut bacteria and gene activity that were then passed down through generations of mice.

Although they do not prove that the same thing happens in humans, the study adds to the body of research examining whether artificial sweeteners do not have the same effect on the body, as many people believe.

“If we compare the generations, these effects were stronger in the first generation and tended to decrease in the second generation,” said lead author Francisca Concha Celume, of the Universidad de Chile, in a statement.

The researchers divided 47 male and female rats into three groups.

One group received plain water, one received water with sucralose and the third received water with stevia. Doses indicate the amounts people are likely to consume, according to research.

Some 140 million Americans regularly consume unhealthy sweeteners.

After 16 weeks, the mice were bred for two generations. Recent generations have only received plain water, but researchers are still finding changes in gut flora, lower levels of short-chain fatty acids – beneficial compounds that support the body and immune health – and changes in genes related to inflammation and metabolism, according to the study.

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Sucralose, a popular calorie-free sugar substitute, appears to have a stronger and longer-lasting effect, researchers found. About 140 million Americans regularly consume unhealthy sweeteners, according to survey data cited by the researchers.

Male offspring of mice fed sucralose showed milder signs of impaired glucose control, while the effects in females were limited, the study said. Stevia's effect was small and seemed to wear off quickly.

People often add artificial sweeteners to their coffee and tea. (Stock)

Concha Celume said the aim is not to scare consumers – but to push for more research on the long-term biological effects of these ingredients.

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“What we saw were subtle changes in the way the body regulates glucose and the activity of genes associated with inflammation and metabolic control,” he said.

“It is possible that such changes may increase the likelihood of metabolic disorders under certain conditions, such as a high-fat diet.”

“We don't have the same demographics yet, but the precautionary principle applies here.”

Concha Celume said it is important to note that since artificial sweeteners have become more popular, obesity and metabolic problems have not decreased.

While that doesn't mean sweets are to blame, he said it raises questions about how they can affect the body.

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“It may make sense to consider moderation in the use of these ingredients and continue to study their long-term biological effects,” he added.

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener; stevia is found in the plant. (Stock)

Even though the research was conducted on mice and the findings cannot be directly applied to humans, it is worth taking seriously, according to Kristen Kuminski, a registered dietitian based in New York who specializes in metabolic health, weight management and nutritional support for people using GLP-1 medications.

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Outside experts say the findings, while limited to mice, are consistent with growing concerns about how artificial sweeteners can affect the body.

“The mechanisms it points to, particularly disruption of the gut microbiome and epigenetic changes, are visible in humans and are consistent with what we're already seeing in extensive sweetener research,” Kuminski told Fox News Digital.

Sugar substitutes are widely used in weight management, but researchers are studying their potential health effects. (Stock)

He said it was no surprise that sucralose showed stronger results than stevia. “Stevia is plant-derived and digested differently than sucralose, which passes through the gut unchanged and comes into direct contact with gut bacteria.”

For consumers, it's the most sensible take to measure, Kuminski agreed.

“Sucralose and stevia have been rigorously tested by food safety authorities.”

“For many people, cutting down on sucralose directly and relying on sweetened food sources is a logical step in this research,” she said. “Stevia in moderation appears to be a low-risk option if a zero-calorie sweetener is something a person relies on regularly.”

He added, “The multigenerational piece is one that should give people pause, especially anyone who is pregnant or planning to be. We don't have the same population data yet, but the precautionary principle applies here.”

Moderation is recommended when it comes to artificial sweeteners in beverages, an expert told Fox News Digital. (Stock)

The International Sweeteners Association (ISA), which is based in Brussels and represents suppliers and other stakeholders, said the study does not change existing safety conclusions for sweeteners such as sucralose and stevia.

“Sucralose and stevia have been rigorously tested by food safety authorities and approved for use in foods and beverages in acceptable daily intake,” the group said in a statement on its website.

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The ISA also noted that because recent generations of mice were not directly given sugar, it is not clear whether the changes are transmitted through gut bacteria or other biological mechanisms.

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“The results of animal experiments, especially those focusing on the gut microbiome, are important for human health,” the group added.

Fox News Digital has reached out to ISA and the study's authors for additional comment.