Cambridge Study Finds 75% of Sweeteners Alter Gut Bacteria Growth in Lab Tests
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that approximately 75% of 39 tested sweeteners directly affect the growth of gut bacteria in laboratory settings. The study revealed that combining sweeteners with medications or food additives can amplify or diminish these effects, with a specific mix of isosteviol and the antidepressant duloxetine significantly disrupting microbial diversity and potentially impacting immune responses. While the findings challenge the notion that sweeteners are metabolically neutral, scientists emphasize that these lab results do not yet confirm real-world health consequences in humans.