Study Finds Artificial Sweeteners May Alter Gut Bacteria, Metabolism Across Generations

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A new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that mice given sucralose or stevia passed on changes in metabolism-related genes to their offspring and grandoffspring, even when later generations did not consume the sweeteners. The findings suggest the sweeteners may have triggered changes in gut bacteria and gene activity that were then inherited, raising questions about the long-term biological effects of widely used sugar substitutes.

Why it matters

As consumption of artificial sweeteners has surged in recent years, with an estimated 140 million Americans regularly using non-nutritive sweeteners, this study adds to growing concerns about their potential health impacts. While the results are limited to mice and cannot be directly applied to humans, the multigenerational effects observed align with broader research on how sweeteners may disrupt the gut microbiome and metabolism.

The details

In the study, researchers divided 47 male and female mice into three groups - one receiving plain water, another receiving water with sucralose, and a third receiving water with stevia. After 16 weeks, the mice were bred for two generations, with later generations receiving only plain water. The researchers still found changes in gut bacteria, lower levels of beneficial short-chain fatty acids, and shifts in genes linked to inflammation and metabolism, particularly in the offspring of mice that consumed sucralose. The effects appeared stronger and more lasting with sucralose compared to stevia.

• The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition in April 2026.

What’s next

The researchers say more studies are needed to determine if the same multigenerational effects observed in mice also occur in humans, particularly for pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant.