Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40944117›Full record

ReviewNutrients2025

Potential Effects of Low-Calorie Sweeteners on Human Health.

Huang-Pin Chen, Yuan Kao, Meng-Wei Lin, Chun-Te Lee, Hung-Tsung Wu, Hsin-Yu Kuo

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nutrients, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Huang-Pin ChenDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
Yuan KaoDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan.
Meng-Wei LinDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
Chun-Te LeeDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.ORCID 0000-0002-5667-7104
Hung-Tsung WuDepartment of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.ORCID 0000-0002-0611-8427
Hsin-Yu KuoDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.ORCID 0000-0002-6413-7669

Funding

National Cheng Kung University Hospital NCKUH-11404023
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) are widely utilized as sugar substitutes due to their intense sweetness, thermal stability, and applicability in weight management and diabetic-friendly products. However, increasing evidence has raised concerns about their potential long-term effects on metabolic health, glucose regulation, cardiovascular function, carcinogenicity, and gut microbiota composition. This review systematically evaluates the pharmacokinetics, metabolic effects, and associated health outcomes of major LCS. Mechanistically, LCS exert effects via sweet taste receptor-mediated pathways, altering glucose absorption, insulin secretion, and intracellular signaling cascades. Additionally, LCS influence gut microbiota composition, with certain agents promoting dysbiosis and glucose intolerance. While some findings support the metabolic benefits of selected LCS, others underscore potential risks, necessitating cautious interpretation. In conclusion, while LCS offer viable alternatives to sugar, their health effects are context-dependent and may vary across different sweeteners and populations. Long-term, high-quality clinical trials are essential to elucidate their safety and efficacy.

Indexed as

Non-Nutritive SweetenersSweetening AgentsGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHumansNon-Nutritive SweetenersSweetening Agentsartificial sweeteneraspartamediabetesobesitysucralose

Identifiers

PMID40944117
PMCPMC12430556

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.