Microbiome and Non-caloric Sweeteners in Humans

Non-caloric sweeteners are common food supplements consumed by millions worldwide as means of combating weight gain and diabetes, by retaining sweet taste without increasing caloric intake. While they are considered safe, there is increasing debate regarding their potential role in contributing to metabolic derangements in some humans. The investigators recently demonstrated that non-caloric sweeteners consumption could induce glucose intolerance in mice and, in preliminary experiments, in distinct human subsets, by functionally altering the gut microbiome, and that the gut microbiome plays an important role in mediating differential glucose responses to identical foods. The proportion of the human population that is susceptible to glucose intolerance induced by non-caloric sweeteners, the common factors that are shared between these individuals and whether and how the microbiome promotes the metabolic derangements remain to be addressed.

Daily consumption of six commercially available sachets containing aspartame and glucose as bulking agent (1g each sachet), for 14 days.

Daily consumption of six commercially available sachets containing sucralose and glucose as bulking agent (1g each sachet), for 14 days.

Daily consumption of six commercially available sachets containing saccharine and glucose as bulking agent (1g each sachet), for 14 days.

Daily consumption of six commercially available sachets containing Stevia and glucose as bulking agent (1g each sachet), for 14 days.

Inclusion Criteria: BMI<28 Age - 18-70 Capable of working with smartphone application Capable to work with a glucometer Exclusion Criteria: Consumption of antibitioics 3 months prior to the first day of the experiment. Consumption of Non caloric sweetners 6 months prior to the first day of the experiment. Diagnosis with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Pregnancy, fertility treatments Breastfeeding (Including baby to breast and bottle feeding expressed breast milk) Chronic disease (e.g. AIDS, Cushing syndrome, CKD, acromegaly, hyperthyroidism etc.) Cancer and recent anticancer treatment Psychiatric disorders Coagulation disorders IBD (inflammatory bowel diseases) Bariatric surgery Alcohol or substance abuse BMI>28 Aspartame group only: phenylketonuria.