A laboratory study from the University of Cambridge suggests that many commonly used sweeteners may directly affect gut microbes. Researchers tested 39 sweeteners against 25 species of gut bacteria and found that about 75% changed the growth of at least one bacterial species.
The findings point to a broad microbiome impact rather than an effect limited to just a few sugar substitutes. According to the report, the researchers examined how these compounds influenced bacterial growth patterns in controlled lab conditions, offering a closer look at how common sweeteners may interact with gut microbes.
The study also found that the effects could become more pronounced when sweeteners were paired with certain medications. The strongest disruption was reported when sweeteners were combined with duloxetine, highlighting the possibility that food additives and drugs may interact in ways that further alter the gut microbiome.
Because the work was done in the lab, the results do not automatically show the same outcome inside the human body. Even so, the research adds to growing interest in how everyday ingredients and medicines may shape gut bacteria, and it underscores the need for further study into how these combinations could influence health.
