Surprising Microbiome Effects from Artificial Sweeteners

Brad Stanfield

Oct 21, 2025

Episode description

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Timestamps:
00:00 Concerns About Artificial Sweeteners
02:37 The New Study on Artificial Sweeteners
04:27 Impact on Gut Microbiome
05:23 Limitations and Safety of the Study
06:41 Consistency with Previous Clinical Trials
07:31 Takeaway and Conclusion

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Here are the links to the research papers referenced in the video:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-025-01381-z
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41366-023-01336-y
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11501561/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9449855/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9498509/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37880814/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4744961/

Thumbnail by James Kelly
Video edited by Troy Young
Script by John Milliken

The links above are affiliate links, so I receive a small commission every time you use them to purchase a product. The content contained in this video, and its accompanying description, is not intended to replace viewers’ relationships with their own medical practitioner. Always speak with your doctor regarding the content of this channel, and especially before using any products, services, or devices discussed on this channel.

Episode description

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Choose artificially sweetened drinks for better weight loss maintenance

One study surprisingly found that people maintained weight loss better with artificially sweetened drinks than with water, possibly because the water group sought calories elsewhere.

#nutrition

#weight-loss

Utilize sweeteners to enhance beneficial gut bacteria

A recent study found artificial sweeteners increased gut bacteria that produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids, which can boost fullness and counter inflammation.

#microbiome

#nutrition

Reduce artificial sweeteners to alleviate gut discomfort

The gastrointestinal discomfort some experience from artificial sweeteners might be due to an increase in methane-producing gut bacteria.

#bacteria

#gut

Replace sugar with sweeteners for positive health outcomes

The positive findings in the new study came from replacing sugar with a range of sweeteners including aspartame, erythritol, and xylitol.

#nutrition

#sugar

Utilize sweeteners to enhance weight loss maintenance

In a year-long trial, participants using artificial sweeteners maintained 1.6kg more weight loss than the sugar group, with compliant users losing 3.8kg more.

#nutrition

#weight-loss

Evaluate artificial sweeteners for safety on health markers

A year-long randomized trial found no negative impacts from artificial sweeteners on risk markers for type 2 diabetes, LDL cholesterol, or blood pressure.

#blood-pressure

#diabetes

Reevaluate artificial sweeteners' impact on weight gain

Previous studies linking artificial sweeteners to weight gain may be misleading because people already struggling with their weight are more likely to choose them.