Microbiome Diversity

TIM-2 Reveals Differences in Sweetener Effects

 

 

TIM-2 Reveals Differences in Sweetener Effects

About the project

Consumption of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers has become increased worldwide as a strategy to reduce sugar intake and calorie consumption mainly because of the taste and non-caloric value. However, concerns have emerged that some sweeteners may affect the composition of the gut microbiota and potentially affect metabolic health, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.

 

 

Determine the effects of non-caloric sweeteners

The study aimed to determine the effects of three non-caloric sweeteners (saccharine, sucralose, and rebaudioside A) on the composition and functionality of the gut microbiota of people with overweight or obesity.

Using the TIM-2 in vitro colon model, researchers pooled gut microbiota from individuals with overweight over a 72-hour period, comparing each sweetener with a carbohydrate-based control. They monitored changes in microbial composition and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are important products of microbial fermentation and may influence metabolic health.

Keywords

TIM-2 Nutrition Non-Caloric Sweetener SCFA TIM Colon
TIM-2 Reveals Differences in Sweetener Effects

The results

  • None of the sweeteners significantly changed overall microbial diversity
  • Saccharin and sucralose tended to increase the abundance of several potentially beneficial SCFA-producing bacteria (non-significantly)
  • The amount of SCFAs was lower for sweetener than for the control situation (standard carbohydrates in a western diet).
  • Among the sweeteners, sucralose resulted in the highest production of acetate, total SCFAs, and BCFAs.
  • The effects on gut microbiota composition and activity differed between sweeteners, indicating that their impact is sweetener-specific

The advantage of our experimental setup is that all runs were performed with the same starting microbiota and could thus be compared. Especially in vivo this is a disadvantage. 

Sost et al., Benef. Microbes, 2026

Full reference

Maurer Sost M, Bastings JJAJ, Umanets A, et al. The effects of three non-caloric sweeteners on the gut microbiota composition and activity of individuals with overweight or obesity in an in vitro model of the colon. Benef Microbes. Published online August 20, 2026. doi:10.1163/18762891-bja00133

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