The Impact of Aspartame on Human Gut Microbiota: A Review

Abstract

Artificial sweeteners, notably aspartame, are popular as low-calorie substitutes for traditional sweeteners but the function of the gut microbiota has not been adequately studied. The purpose of this review is to synthesize an overview of evidence regarding aspartame's effects on the human gut microbiota. The main issues to address in this study are whether aspartame consumption is linked to particular bacterial species that are associated with gut dysbiosis, the adverse impact of aspartame on human health and the gut microbiome, and the possibility of aspartame altering the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota.