Should We Finally Ditch Artificial Sweeteners for Good?
Recent studies have found potential health risks associated with artificial sweeteners, including altering the gut microbiome and increasing the risk of cognitive decline and cardiovascular disease. Researchers are now questioning whether these sweeteners are as harmless as previously thought.
Artificial sweeteners, commonly used in diet sodas and sugar-free products, have been under scrutiny for their potential health risks. Recent studies have found evidence that sucralose and stevia can alter the gut microbiome and affect genes linked to metabolism and inflammation in mice. A study last September linked higher consumption of low- or no-calorie sweeteners to a greater rate of cognitive decline in older adults. Another study in May 2025 found a link between aspartame and worsening atherosclerosis, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Researchers, including cancer researcher Yihai Cao, suggest that artificial sweeteners may not be as healthy as previously thought and may have physiological consequences, such as elevating insulin levels and triggering the onset of certain diseases.
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