Effect of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers on weight management and gut microbiota composition in individuals with overweight or obesity: the SWEET study

Consumption of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers (S&SEs) is a popular strategy to reduce sugar intake, but the role of S&SEs in body weight regulation and gut microbiota composition remains debated. Here, we show that S&SEs in a healthy diet support weight loss maintenance and beneficial gut microbiota shifts in adults with overweight or obesity.

 

In this multi-centre, randomized, controlled trial, we included 341 adults and 38 children with overweight or obesity. Adults followed a 2-month low-energy diet for ≥5% weight loss, followed by a 10-month healthy ad libitum diet with <10% energy from sugars. One group replaced sugar-rich products with S&SE products (S&SEs group), while the other did not (sugar group). Primary outcomes included changes in body weight and gut microbiota composition at 1 year. Secondary outcomes included changes in cardiometabolic parameters.

 

The S&SEs group, compared to the sugar group, maintained greater weight loss at 1 year (1.6 ± 0.7 kg, P = 0.029) and exhibited distinct gut microbiota shifts, with increased short-chain fatty acid and methane-producing taxa (q ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were observed in cardiometabolic markers or in children.

 

Overall, our findings indicate that prolonged consumption of S&SEs in a healthy diet is a safe strategy for obesity management.

 

 

For more information:

Pang, M.D., Kjølbæk, L., Bastings, J.J.A.J. et al. Effect of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers on weight management and gut microbiota composition in individuals with overweight or obesity: the SWEET study. Nat Metab (2025).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01381-z