The Safety and Obesity-Related Effects of Artificial Sweeteners

Abstract

Obesity is a growing global health challenge influenced by a complex combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors, with high-calorie diets being one of the major contributing factors. Aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium are popular sugar alternatives for combating obesity. Although artificial sweeteners are generally considered safe by regulatory agencies, emerging research suggests that they may adversely affect metabolic health and obesity-related mechanisms. Despite their widespread use, the long-term metabolic effects of artificial sweeteners remain uncertain. This review examined the safety of common artificial sweeteners and their effects on obesity by analyzing the available evidence. According to the research, artificial sweeteners may lower calorie intake, but they may also interfere with insulin signaling pathways, change the gut microbiota's composition, and interfere with appetite management, all of which might result in weight gain and metabolic diseases. This study highlights the double-edged nature of artificial sweeteners, emphasizing their role as sugar substitutes along with their potential risks. This review provides a comprehensive reference for researchers and encourages them to further explore the long-term safety and metabolic effects of artificial sweeteners. Future research should focus on understanding the variability of individual responses to artificial sweeteners and their broader environmental and physiological impacts to guide safer dietary practices and innovative solutions to obesity.