Dr Sonja Blasche

“Sweeteners are often marketed as metabolically neutral, but our study challenges this idea. We found that they can directly affect gut bacteria, particularly when mixed with other compounds such as medication and food additives. These common combinations could have unintended effects on our gut microbiome.”

Dr Sonja Blasche · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-16

Dr. Blasche stated that the study challenges the idea that sweeteners are metabolically neutral.

“Answering this is further complicated by the fact that we rarely ever take sweeteners by themselves, we take them with drinks, in snacks, or even in medication to mask bitterness,”

Dr Sonja Blasche · said date not stated · reported 2026-07-16

Dr. Blasche noted that sweeteners are rarely consumed by themselves, but rather with drinks, snacks, or medication.