Potential Effects of Low-Calorie Sweeteners on Human Health

Chen, Huang-Pin; Kao, Yuan; Lin, Meng-Wei; Lee, Chun-Te; Wu, Hung-Tsung; Kuo, Hsin-Yu

doi:10.3390/nu17172726

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Open AccessReview

Potential Effects of Low-Calorie Sweeteners on Human Health

by

Huang-Pin Chen

^1,†,

Yuan Kao

^2,3,†,

Meng-Wei Lin

¹,

Chun-Te Lee

¹

,

Hung-Tsung Wu

^4,5,*

and

Hsin-Yu Kuo

^1,4,5,*

¹

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan

²

Department of Emergency Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan

³

Department of Nursing, National Tainan Junior College of Nursing, Tainan 700, Taiwan

⁴

Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan

⁵

Tong-Yuan Diabetes Center, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Nutrients 2025, 17(17), 2726; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172726

Submission received: 10 June 2025 / Revised: 18 August 2025 / Accepted: 19 August 2025 / Published: 22 August 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods and Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases)

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Abstract

Low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) are widely utilized as sugar substitutes due to their intense sweetness, thermal stability, and applicability in weight management and diabetic-friendly products. However, increasing evidence has raised concerns about their potential long-term effects on metabolic health, glucose regulation, cardiovascular function, carcinogenicity, and gut microbiota composition. This review systematically evaluates the pharmacokinetics, metabolic effects, and associated health outcomes of major LCS. Mechanistically, LCS exert effects via sweet taste receptor-mediated pathways, altering glucose absorption, insulin secretion, and intracellular signaling cascades. Additionally, LCS influence gut microbiota composition, with certain agents promoting dysbiosis and glucose intolerance. While some findings support the metabolic benefits of selected LCS, others underscore potential risks, necessitating cautious interpretation. In conclusion, while LCS offer viable alternatives to sugar, their health effects are context-dependent and may vary across different sweeteners and populations. Long-term, high-quality clinical trials are essential to elucidate their safety and efficacy.

Keywords: artificial sweetener; aspartame; diabetes; obesity; sucralose

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MDPI and ACS Style

Chen, H.-P.; Kao, Y.; Lin, M.-W.; Lee, C.-T.; Wu, H.-T.; Kuo, H.-Y. Potential Effects of Low-Calorie Sweeteners on Human Health. Nutrients 2025, 17, 2726. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172726

AMA Style

Chen H-P, Kao Y, Lin M-W, Lee C-T, Wu H-T, Kuo H-Y. Potential Effects of Low-Calorie Sweeteners on Human Health. Nutrients. 2025; 17(17):2726. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172726

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chen, Huang-Pin, Yuan Kao, Meng-Wei Lin, Chun-Te Lee, Hung-Tsung Wu, and Hsin-Yu Kuo. 2025. "Potential Effects of Low-Calorie Sweeteners on Human Health" Nutrients 17, no. 17: 2726. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172726

APA Style

Chen, H.-P., Kao, Y., Lin, M.-W., Lee, C.-T., Wu, H.-T., & Kuo, H.-Y. (2025). Potential Effects of Low-Calorie Sweeteners on Human Health. Nutrients, 17(17), 2726. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172726

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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