Abstract
Non-nutritive artificial sweeteners (NNSs) may have the ability to change the gut microbiota, which could potentially alter glucose metabolism. This study aimed to determine the effect of sucralose and aspartame consumption on gut microbiota composition using realistic doses of NNSs. Seventeen healthy participants between the ages of 18 and 45 years who had a body mass index (BMI) of 20–25 were selected. They undertook two 14-day treatment periods separated by a four-week washout period. The sweeteners consumed by each participant consisted of a standardized dose of 14% (0.425 g) of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame and 20% (0.136 g) of the ADI for sucralose. Faecal samples collected before and after treatments were analysed for microbiome and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). There were no differences in the median relative proportions of the most abundant bacterial taxa (family and genus) before and after treatments with both NNSs. The microbiota community structure also did not show any obvious differences. There were no differences in faecal SCFAs following the consumption of the NNSs. These findings suggest that daily repeated consumption of pure aspartame or sucralose in doses reflective of typical high consumption have minimal effect on gut microbiota composition or SCFA production.
Highlights
Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) are chemicals that produce an intense sweet taste at a very low concentration compared to that of caloric sweeteners such as sucrose, dextrose and high-fructose corn syrup
The amount each participant consumed was determined based on the average body weight in adults to meet 14% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame and 20% of the ADI for sucralose
Fourteen percent of the ADI for aspartame is approximately equivalent to 0.425 g of aspartame (10 packets of aspartame), while 20% of the ADI for sucralose is approximately equivalent to 0.136 g of sucralose
Summary
Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) are chemicals that produce an intense sweet taste at a very low concentration compared to that of caloric sweeteners such as sucrose, dextrose and high-fructose corn syrup. Known as non-caloric or artificial sweeteners, NNSs have grown increasingly popular since their introduction to the food and beverage market. This is a result of their low cost, their low- or zero-calorie counts, and their noted health benefits for weight loss/management and the normalization of blood glucose levels [1,2]. In Canada, the approved NNSs are acesulfame potassium, neotame, sucralose, aspartame, monk fruit extract, steviol glycosides and erythritol [3]. Health Canada has defined the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of sucralose as 9 mg/kg body weight and 40 mg/kg body weight for aspartame [7].
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