Do artificial sweeteners cause inheritable biological changes?

New study suggests alterations in gut microbiota, gene expression and metabolism, with some effects persisting in offspring

A new study from the University of Chile suggests that common artificial sweeteners may trigger biological changes that are passed down to future generations.

The research focused on sucralose and stevia, two of the world’s most widely used non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS).

The additives could alter gut microbiota, gene expression and metabolism in mice, with some effects persisting in their first- and second-generation offspring, even in offspring who were never directly exposed to the sweeteners, according to the team behind the study.

Francisca Concha, the lead researcher and an assistant professor at the University of Chile, said in an interview that the research was inspired by higher rates of diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance, despite many products containing NNS to replace nutritive sugars.

“This situation raised the question of whether [artificial sweeteners] were truly harmless,” added Concha, who is also a member of the university’s nutrition department.

The team’s paper looked at how artificial and natural NNS drive divergent gut and genetic responses across generations. It was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Frontiers in Nutrition in April.