The effects of sweeteners on health are controversial. According to a recent study, they could even impact future generations.
Sweeteners are often presented as a sensible alternative to sugar because they have significantly fewer calories and therefore fit into the diet of people who want to reduce their weight.
However, they are repeatedly criticized. They can influence the intestinal flora; some people also react sensitively to the consumption of certain sweeteners and suffer from flatulence or diarrhea. A study with mice shows that these effects are more widespread than initially thought.
A study with mice examined, among other things, whether parental consumption of sucralose or stevia can influence the composition of the fecal microbiome. The research also focused on whether these effects can also be detected in up to two subsequent generations.