Artificial sweeteners in diet products could raise the risk of diabetes, scientists have suggested.
The study, in mice, found that ingredients such as saccharin and aspartame caused high blood sugar levels, a state that is a precursor for diabetes. The effect appeared to be due to changes in the make-up of gut bacteria, which play an important role in metabolism.
Eran Segal, who led the work at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, said the findings raised questions about whether switching to drinks and foods containing sweeteners was a safe and effective way of controlling weight.
“We were surprised by the results, given the massive consumption of artificial sweeteners,” he said.
Nutrition experts were quick to challenge the conclusions of the study, which is