Impact of Artificial Sweeteners on the Microbiota

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.159532509013

• Palavras-chave: Sweeteners; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Non-caloric Sweeteners; Metabolic Syndrome

• Keywords: Sweeteners; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Non-caloric Sweeteners; Metabolic Syndrome

• Abstract:

  There is an awareness of the danger of dietary sugars in terms of their caloric contribution to the diet and the increase in overweight around the world. They contribute to metabolic dysfunction and can affect body weight, glucose tolerance, appetite and taste sensitivity. It is known that the gut microbiota plays a fundamental role in human metabolism, and some artificial sweeteners can affect the gut microbiome and further affect the health of the host. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of artificial sweeteners in any way contributes to the development of negative symptomatic and pathophysiological effects on the gut microbiota. A search was carried out for previous studies related to the topic in the PubMed database and the Virtual Health Library (VHL), using the descriptors: "artificial", "sweeteners", "microbiota" and "intestinal", studies of the randomized controlled clinical trial type published between 2018 and 2023 were included, articles that did not fit the proposed theme were excluded and a total of 25 articles were included. After selection, although the symptomatology and pathophysiology are not completely clear, there is evidence that the use of artificial sweeteners is a risk factor for altering the intestinal microbiome, in addition to the development of cardiometabolic diseases.  In conclusion, it is important for specialists to be aware of the changes that artificial sweeteners can cause in the intestinal microbiota and in the health of the host, and to know how to guide patients and the general population in relation to their use.