Artificial sweeteners have rapidly become popular in the food and beverage industry due to their low or even zero calorie properties. They are widely used in more than 6,000 products, from diet sodas, sugar-free desserts to sugar-free gum. However, these seemingly harmless substitutes may cause a silent change in our intestines and may even be closely linked to metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

A study published by Israeli scientists in the journal Nature reveals the complex relationship between artificial sweeteners and gut microbiota. This discovery not only challenges our traditional understanding of artificial sweeteners, but also triggers a re-examination of the safety of such food additives by the scientific community and the public.

The gut microbiota, an ecosystem known as the "second brain", is vital to human health. They are not only involved in the digestion and absorption of food, but also affect the function of the immune system, the metabolism of nutrients, and the susceptibility to a variety of diseases. However, this study shows that artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, sucralose and aspartame can significantly change the composition and function of the gut microbiota.

The results showed that after continuous intake of these artificial sweeteners, the number of symbiotic bacteria in the intestines of mice was significantly reduced, and microbial changes similar to those in patients with type 2 diabetes and obese individuals occurred. This finding suggests that artificial sweeteners may indirectly promote the occurrence of metabolic diseases by disrupting the balance of intestinal microorganisms.

Further studies also showed that artificial sweeteners can increase the risk of glucose intolerance, thereby exacerbating the trend of elevated blood sugar. In a mouse model, researchers found that mice drinking water with artificial sweeteners showed significant impaired glucose tolerance compared with the control group. This finding is consistent with observations in human trials that in some people, there is a significant correlation between the intake of artificial sweeteners and microbial imbalance and abnormal glucose metabolism.

Scientists speculate that this adverse effect may be due to the direct regulatory effect of artificial sweeteners on intestinal microorganisms. They disrupt the originally stable microecological balance by changing the composition and function of microorganisms, thereby affecting the metabolic health of the host. For people who are already on the edge of metabolic risk, this change may be very dangerous.

Although artificial sweeteners have a certain positive effect in helping people reduce sugar intake and control weight, their potential negative effects cannot be ignored. Especially for those who hope to prevent or control metabolic diseases by using artificial sweeteners, they should be more vigilant.

In daily life, we should look at the use of artificial sweeteners rationally. Although they can satisfy our pursuit of sweetness to a certain extent, they are not absolutely safe and harmless. Reasonable control of intake, combined with a balanced diet and moderate exercise, is the key to maintaining intestinal health and preventing metabolic diseases.