KNX News: Good Bacteria Takes a Hit From Artificial Sweeteners
KNX News recently interviewed Ruchi Mathur, MD, a professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, about findings from a recent study showing that artificial (non-sugar) sweeteners reduce the amount of good bacteria in the gut, affecting overall health.
Sucralose, aspartame, saccharin and stevia are among the most popular sugar substitutes used by many people in the U.S. to help reduce sugar in their diets. But experts are concerned about potential health risks associated with these substitutes, including potential negative effects on the gut microbiome.
Mathur, lead and corresponding author on the study, told KNX News reporter Karen Adams that having good bacteria in the gut is important for many reasons.
“They’re symbiotic with us,” Mathur told Adams. “So, they help the human host, they help us regulate our metabolism, they help us absorb food, they’re crucial for some vitamin regulation and other aspects of human existence. And in turn, we basically give them a nice warm cozy place to live where they can get nutrition and food and thrive.”
Mathur told Adams that while the study findings warrant additional research, it may not yet be necessary to completely stop using sugar substitutes.
“I think everything in moderation is really the key, right?” she said. “That’s what Mom said, and that’s what Grandma said, and I think they’re right. If you’re going to consume sweeteners, then maybe consider mixing and matching a little bit. If you have a predisposition in your family for certain types of cancers, you might want to avoid it.”
Click here to hear the complete interview on KNX News.