Scientists Now Warn Against the Toxic Effects of Artificial Sweeteners on Gut Microbes

(Newswire.net — June 14, 2021) Orlando, FL — Multiple research studies have long warned against the potentially dangerous effects of artificial sweeteners on various aspects of health. 

In a study, which was published in Molecules, it has been found that FDA-approved artificial sweeteners and sports supplements are toxic to digestive gut microbes

This interesting research was carried out by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in Israel and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

There were six artificial sweeteners involved in the study, namely aspartame, sucralose, saccharine, neotame, advantame, and acesulfame potassium-k. The researchers also investigated the 10 sport supplements containing these artificial sweeteners. 

When exposed to concentrations of even one mg./ml. of the artificial sweetener, the bacteria found in the digestive system became toxic. 

According to Prof. Ariel Kushmaro, they modified bioluminescent E. coli bacteria, which luminesce when they detect toxicants and act as a sensing model representative of the complex microbial system.

Prof. Kushmaro is John A. Ungar Chair in Biotechnology in the Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, and member of the Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev. 

“This is further evidence that consumption of artificial sweeteners adversely affects gut microbial activity which can cause a wide range of health issues,” he added.

It is worth mentioning that quite a number of food products and soft drinks with reduced sugar content contain artificial sweeteners. It is important to be warned that these sweeteners have been classified as emerging environmental pollutants.

It is strongly recommended to reduce or eliminate the intake of artificial sweeteners to avoiding harming the gut microbial community.

Researchers continue to carry out studies to look into the various ways in protecting and enhancing gut health, in addition to staying away from foods and beverages with artificial sweeteners.

Interestingly, some natural remedies like the use of probiotics as well as digestive enzymes have been found to be significantly beneficial for gut health. They could be a great addition to the diet of individuals who want to maintain the health of their gut microbiome.

There have been quite a number of studies revealing that both probiotics and digestive enzymes work in protecting and enhancing gut health. They are also widely used for preventive health purposes.

Supplements like Divine Bounty Digestive Enzymes may be useful for those who want a reliable source of these gut-health-enhancing remedies. 

Divine Bounty Digestive Enzymes contain 500 mg of digestive enzymes, namely lipase, amylase, invertase, Glucoamylase, papain, and bromelain. It even has prebiotics and probiotics.

For every bottle, it offers 90 Vegetarian highly potent, and pure capsules (amazon.com/Digestive-Enzymes-Probiotics-90-Capsules/dp/B076MDX648).