Recent studies claimed that artificial sweeteners such as stevia and sucralose, considered healthier alternatives to sugar, have the potential to alter gene expression and the risk of diabetes in offspring.
Researchers also suggested that the gene activity of future generations could suffer from the negative effects of artificial sweeteners. Typically, carbonated diet drinks contain these sweeteners because they add sweetness, keeping the calories at zero.
Francisca Concha Celume, the lead author of the study published in Limits in nutritionsaid: “We found it intriguing that despite growing consumption of these additives, the prevalence of obesity and metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance has not decreased.”
It is pertinent to mention that the researchers experimented with mice that ate stevia or sucralose and showed expression of genes related to metabolism and inflammation in their offspring. These altered gene expressions made mouse offspring more vulnerable to diseases like diabetes, the exact problem such alternatives were designed to solve.
Artificial sweeteners compromise the function of the gut microbiome, negatively affecting metabolism and ultimately altering gene expression.
It is important to note that only male offspring who consumed sucralose showed noticeable signs of glucose intolerance, according to research.
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